The red heat health alert has prompted all the state seconadry schools in Brighton and Hove to announce that they will stay closed again tomorrow (Friday 26 June).
Varndean School, Cardinal Newman Catholic School and the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) were among those to announce the additional closures at 2pm in a co-ordinated move.
One of them, Shelley Baker, the Varndean head, wrote to parents saying: “Having carefully reviewed the conditions across the school site, consulted with the local authority and continued discussions with other secondary head teachers across the city, we have made the decision to close the school to students on Friday 26 June.
“We have been doing everything possible to keep our community safe and comfortable including additional water breaks, shaded social times, moving lessons to cooler spaces and adapting activities throughout the day.
“Staff and students have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility in managing the challenging conditions.
“Despite these measures, temperatures within some areas of the building remain exceptionally high and there is little opportunity for the site to cool sufficiently overnight.
“The extension of the red alert reflects the continuing risks associated with these sustained temperatures, particularly for vulnerable students and staff.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students and colleagues must remain our priority and, after careful consideration, we believe that closing the school for the remainder of the red alert period is the most appropriate course of action.”
She added: “We expect the school to reopen as normal on Monday 29 June, subject to any significant changes in weather conditions.
“We recognise that this decision may cause inconvenience for some families and appreciate that arranging childcare or alternative supervision at short notice can be difficult.
“Please be assured that this decision has not been taken lightly and has been made solely in the interests of health, safety and wellbeing.
“We will continue to monitor advice from the UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency), the Met Office and Brighton and Hove City Council and will contact families should there be any further updates.
“Thank you for your understanding, support and co-operation during what has been an unprecedented period of hot weather.”
