The Met office has issued an amber heat health alert is in effect from 11AM on 22/06/2026 until 11PM on 26/06/2026 across London. A red alert will be in effect from 1AM on 24/06/2026 until 11PM on 25/06/2026 across London.  

During periods of hot weather, it is important to ensure staff and pupils remain well hydrated, minimise prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and adapt activities where necessary. Classrooms should be adequately ventilated, and consideration given to additional breaks to support wellbeing. Staff should remain vigilant for signs of heat-related illness and take prompt action where required. 

The amber alert has a matrix score of 13.  This means:

• Significant impacts are expected across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including:

• a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups
• likely increased demand on all health and social care services
• internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
• the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
• indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
• issues managing medicines
• staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport)
• increased demand for power exceeding capacity
• other sector starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays)
• water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning

The  advice from public health is below:

• UKHSA usually don’t advise schools to close (Hot weather and heatwaves: guidance for schools and other education settings – The Education Hub) decisions to close schools and change school times are made locally by schools based on risk assessments that they undertake.
• School staff should consult the action card and implement measures to protect pupils and staff while they are at school
• Other adjustments that schools can/should make are included Hot weather and heatwaves: guidance for schools and other education settings – The Education Hub
• Reminder for school staff to be aware of the signs of heat-related illness and what to do if they recognise these

Please can you ensure that you advise the LA if you make any changes to your school start or end time during this hot spell.

Please do contact the Health and Safety Team or Public Health Team if you need more specific advice relevant to your individual school or setting.

You can see all the weather health alerts currently in place across England on the UKHSA data dashboard.

Schools and education settings can review the Schools and Education settings action card for more information on what actions to take.