Guidance from Regional Director, Department for Education Tim Coulson:

"Dear Colleagues,

This is a note particularly for those in the parts of the country experiencing and expecting to experience high temperatures during this week’s heatwave.

Thank you for your work supporting the schools for which you are responsible.

I hope you have seen the email from the Department for Education yesterday.

We know that through your help some schools that were thinking of closing were able to stay open with amended hours to avoid the hottest time of day during the afternoon and have prioritised vulnerable children and young people for face-to-face education.

Also, through your help where schools have had to restrict attendance, they have quickly resumed online learning for pupils.

In case you did not see it, here is the guidance to support you:

• DfE emergency planning guidance including severe weather
• Updated advice on our Education Hub
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance

I want to also draw your attention to a UKHSA and DfE webinar from 4pm to 5.15pm (24 June) on preparing schools for the autumn flu programme. We are conscious that this is taking place during the heatwave, therefore, time will be allocated at the end to cover guidance on managing in the heat. The slides and recording will be shared after the event too. 

We welcome your feedback on how best to support as many schools as possible to remain open during this period of hot weather".