A secondary school in North Yorkshire has put out an an urgent message on social media regarding the severe heat expected next week.

Bedale High School will be closed on Monday (July 18) and Tuesday (July 19) due to the extreme heat that is predicted across the UK.

The Met Office has warned of temperatures in the mid to high 30s in much of North Yorkshire at the beginnning of next week.

The school issued a statement on its official Facebook page stating the closure of the school on Monday and Tuesday, although the school will remain open for vulnerable children who cannot be left at home unsupervised.

Read more: North East rail users told not to travel due to extreme heat expected next week

Tom Kelly, headteacher, explains the reasons for the closure and alternatives to classroom learning.

The Facebook post read: “URGENT MESSAGE TO BHS PARENTS AND STUDENTS: SCHOOL CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY THIS WEEK DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURE FORECAST.

“I need to inform you that I have taken the decision to close school on Monday and Tuesday this week due to the extreme temperatures that are forecast in our area. I know that this will cause disruption and changes in arrangements for many families, but I assure you that the decision has not been taken lightly.”

Read more: Hour-by-hour forecast as North East gears up for the hottest day of 2022

The Facebook post explains why the last-minute decision has been made.

“I have been in contact with my leadership team and Chairs of Governors over the weekend. My concerns are that our building does not cope well with heat on a 'normal' hot day - and the next two days cannot be described as normal.

"We are expecting temperatures of up to 35 on Monday and 39 on Tuesday. We have only a small number of water stations which will not be sufficient for 400+ people in these conditions.”

The headteacher felt he could not guarantee safety or pupils and staff in such weather conditions.

“In short, I do not feel that I can guarantee the safety of students and staff in these temperatures within our school environment - I am very concerned about the potential for illness and people collapsing in such heat in school. Nor do I feel that meaningful work and learning can take place in such circumstances.”

Children who do need to come into school because they are either vulnerabe or there is no one to supervise them at home during school hours, the school has asked parents/guardians to fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Nq4MsTeriW

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