Dear Parents and Carers,
I am writing to inform you that, following the issuance of a Red Weather Warning for Extreme Heat by the Met Office, the school will be closed to all students on Thursday, 25 June.
The safety and well-being of our pupils, staff and wider school community is always our highest priority. After carefully reviewing the guidance associated with this warning and considering the conditions expected throughout the day, we have taken the decision to close the school site to minimise the risks posed by the extreme temperatures. We are also cancelling the scheduled Sixth Form Experience Day and the Parentsโ Evening for parents of students joining us in Year 7 in September. Assessments for Years 7-9 that were due to take place tomorrow will be re-scheduled for next week.
We appreciate that this closure may cause inconvenience for some families. However, the forecast conditions present significant health and safety concerns, particularly for children and vulnerable individuals, both when at school and when travelling to and from school; we believe this is the most responsible course of action. If students are able to complete any school work tomorrow, they are able to use their knowledge organisers and access appropriate resources through MS Teams. Students in Years 7-9 should prepare for the assessments scheduled for Friday.
As students will not be in school tomorrow, we ask parents and carers to support their children in staying safe during the period of extreme heat. Please ensure that children drink plenty of water throughout the day, remain in cool or shaded areas where possible, and avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day. We would also like to remind families of the dangers associated with open water. While warm weather can make rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals and coastal areas seem appealing, these environments can present significant risks. We ask that children are closely supervised and that families follow all safety guidance and local restrictions when visiting areas near water.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely but intend to reopen fully on Friday. Please check your email and the school website for the latest information.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Dorian Lewis
Headmaster


