County MP presses for action after severe heat hits schools

A Somerset MP has demanded the government provide funding to “retrofit” schools to protect pupils and staff from future heatwaves as hundreds of schools closed in the county.

- Daniel Mumby

Temperatures soared in the West this week rising above the mid 30s Celsius, causing widespread disruption.

Over 200 schools in Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset closed for part of this week to protect children from the extreme heat with an amber warning in place.

The Met Office said some areas were likely to exceed 37C in the shade and that could rise to between 38 and 40C in some areas.

Most schools were monitoring and adapting their school opening circumstances in line with official advice from The Met Office and official school bodies.

One school in Bath has been forced to postpone its Year 11 Prom, due to be held today (Thursday), due to the extreme heat.

A spokesperson for St Mark's School said: “Sadly, due to the extreme heat and school closures, the difficult decision has been made to postpone the Year 11 Prom originally scheduled for this Thursday evening.