Will schools close due to the extreme heat? Here's what the guidelines say

The weather is about to get even warmer, with record-breaking temperatures of 40C forecast in some parts of England for Monday (July 18) and Tuesday (July 19). The conditions could be life-threatening and a level four national emergency has been declared by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the affected days.

The heat can cause major issues from dehydration to heat exhaustion and even heatstroke, which can be deadly. Level four alerts are issued when "a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system," the UKHSA says.

"At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups." It's the first time such an alert has been issued since the Heatwave Plan for England was introduced in 2004.

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The summer holidays might just be around the corner, but most children will still be in school as the temperatures soar. A number of schools have chosen to close their premises on Monday and Tuesday, instead teaching lessons remotely, while others have given parents the option to send their children into school or not.

Alan Roe, headteacher of Dr Challoner’s High School in Buckinghamshire, wrote to parents on Friday (July 15) to say that “due to the worsening weather forecast and the red weather alert (which was amber this morning), we have decided to close the school on Monday and Tuesday on health and safety grounds”.

He added that the school would reopen on Wednesday. “Many of our classrooms are very uncomfortable when the temperatures are in the mid-20s,” Mr Roe said. He said that with temperatures forecast to be up to 40C on Monday and