Red Weather Alert: Changes to the School Week

Dear BC Families,

In response to the Red Weather Warning issued by the Met Office, which is in effect from 09:00 on Wednesday until 21:00 on Thursday, we have carefully reviewed the latest guidance from Westminster City Council and the UK Health Security Agency, alongside the conditions experienced in school today.

Today, outside temperatures reached 29°C, with classroom temperatures exceeding 30°C by late morning. In response, we relocated pupils to cooler areas of the building where possible, used blinds and fans throughout the school, and carefully managed ventilation from early morning onwards.

Despite these measures, temperatures continued to rise, making it increasingly difficult for pupils to remain comfortable, concentrate on learning and, particularly for our youngest children, regulate their body temperature effectively.

Following careful consideration of both the conditions experienced in school today and the latest guidance from Westminster City Council and the UK Health Security Agency, the Governing Body has agreed the following adjustments to arrangements for the remainder of the week:

• Tuesday 23 June: School will close at 1:30pm for all pupils, ahead of forecast temperatures reaching around 33°C during the afternoon.
• Wednesday 24 June & Thursday 25 June: School will close at 1:30pm* for all pupils.
• Friday 26 June: School closed as planned for the scheduled INSET Day.

* In an update to yesterday’s email, we will be open on Wednesday and Thursday this week, closing at 12:30 on both days, due to revised temperature forecasts from the Met Office.  

We appreciate that these arrangements may create challenges for some families and we do not take such decisions lightly. However, after careful consideration, we believe this is the right course of action to safeguard the wellbeing of our pupils and staff during this period of extreme heat.

Please also be aware that the Red Weather Warning may affect transport services across London over the coming days. If you need to travel, please allow extra time, carry plenty of water and be prepared for possible delays.

We encourage all families to take sensible precautions during the hot weather. Please keep yourselves well hydrated, spend time in cool or shaded environments where possible and avoid prolonged periods in direct sunlight, particularly between 11:00 and 15:00. Children should wear lightweight clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen when outdoors, and strenuous physical activity should be avoided during the hottest parts of the day.

If parents have any questions about the above information, please contact the school office either via email or phone.

Thank you, as always, for your understanding and support. We hope you are able to stay safe and as comfortable as possible over the coming days.

Kind regards,
BC School Team