Dear Parents and Carers
Red Weather Warning - Extreme Temperatures
As you may be aware, the Met Office has issued a Red Weather Warning for extreme heat covering this Wednesday and Thursday. A Red Warning is the highest level of alert, indicating a potential danger to life and an expectation of widespread disruption to daily routines.
With temperatures forecast to potentially reach an unprecedented 40°C, we have had to make some incredibly difficult decisions regarding our school operations to ensure the safety of our community.
1. Cancellation of Open Evening (Wednesday 24th June)
We have made the decision to cancel our Open Evening scheduled for Wednesday 24th June. We currently have 1,000 families booked to visit us. Bringing this many people into the building during such extreme heat poses a significant risk, and the health and safety of our visitors, students and staff must take priority. We will contact families in due course regarding alternative arrangements to view the school.
2. Thursday 25th June - Normal Arrival Time
Please note that because the Open Evening has been cancelled, students must arrive at school at the normal time on Thursday morning. The previously planned later start of 10:00am is no longer in place, and the school day will begin as usual.
3. Early School Closure (Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th June)
Because the highest temperatures are forecast between 2:30pm and 5:00pm, we will be closing the school early on both Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June. This will ensure all students can travel and get home safely before the hottest point of the day. Abbey Travel and the 602 bus service have been made aware of these changes and Abbey Travel will contact parents directly about their arrangements.
The schedule for both days will be as follows:
- 12:30pm - All students will have an early lunch, which will operate as a 'Grab and Go' service.
- 12:45pm - Years 7 and 8 will register with their tutors before being dismissed to go home.
- 1:00pm: Years 9, 10 and 12 will register with their tutors before being dismissed to go home.
Heatwave Safety Measures and Uniform Adjustments
To keep everyone as comfortable and safe as possible while on site, please note the following adjustments and measures:
- Uniform - Students do not need to wear blazers or jumpers, and boys do not need to wear ties. Please note that we are not asking students to wear school PE kits. Our PE kit is black and made of polyester, which traps heat. Standard cotton school shirts and trousers/skirts are much cooler and more breathable.
- Hydration - It is vital that all students bring a refillable water bottle to school. There will be opportunities throughout the day for students to refill their bottles at our water stations.
- Sun Protection - Please ensure students apply suncream before coming to school and bring a hat for any brief periods spent outdoors.
- Physical Activity/Extra-Curricular - There will be reduced physical activity in PE lessons and we will not run any extra-curricular activities this week.
We hope you understand that the health, safety and wellbeing of our school community is our highest priority, and it is with this in mind that these decisions have been made.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support, cooperation and understanding during these unprecedented weather conditions.
Kind regards,
Sarina Totty
Headteacher
