How hot does it have to be for schools to close?

A rare red warning for extreme heat, external has been issued by the Met Office for parts of southern England and south Wales for Wednesday and Thursday.

Despite hot classrooms, sweaty commutes and sticky exam conditions, and though some schools might close, many will remain open.

According to the UK government website attendance at school is paramount for children's well-being and schools should remain open even in heatwave conditions.

However, school leaders are obliged to keep children safe in hot weather and make necessary adjustments, especially as children can be more vulnerable to heat-related issues than adults.

Many schools relax their uniform rules, encouraging children and young people to ditch the blazers and tie and opt for light coloured, loose-fitting, cotton clothing or PE kits.

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that PE lessons in particular should be adapted to avoid strenuous physical activity.

Children should also be encouraged to stay in the shade and wear hats and sunscreen.

Hydration is essential in hot weather and children should have easy access to drinking water.

Teachers and care-givers should look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke which can be serious. Symptoms range from general irritability to nausea, headaches and fainting. There is more information here, external.

There is plenty of advice for keeping classrooms cool in the hot weather ahead.

Windows should be opened overnight or in the early morning to allow the daytime heat to escape, then closed again during the day when the air outdoors is hotter than inside.

Curtains and blinds should be kept closed and doors opened for ventilation. Electric light should be kept to a minimum. Mechanical fans can be useful for temperatures under 35C.

The UK Government website states that "During working hours the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable."

However there is no law that states a maximum or minimum temperature limit, or even any guidance, on how hot it can be in the workplace.

Employers are obliged however to keep temperatures at a comfortable level and the air clean and fresh.

For more advice on how to keep cool in hot weather click here, external.

It is likely to remain extremely hot and humid this week in the south with temperatures peaking on Wednesday and Thursday.

The June record of 35.6C, which has stood for 50 years, is likely to be smashed by several degrees. There is even the small potential that 40C may be reached in some weather stations.

This is very close to the all-time record of 40.3C set in July 2022.

The record-breaking June temperatures will follow on from record-breaking May heat.

By Friday it will be a little cooler with south-westerly winds but temperatures will still be in the low 30s for central and south-eastern England.

The weekend will be cooler and more unsettled with westerly winds developing into next week. Temperatures will still remain above average.

Check your local forecast here or by downloading the BBC Weather app.