Dozens of schools across Birmingham and the Black Country have announced closures or early dismissals this week as a rare Met Office red warning for extreme heat takes effect. Head teachers have been given discretion by local councils to decide whether to shut their doors, with many opting for remote learning or reduced timetables to protect pupils and staff from dangerously high temperatures.
Washwood Heath Academy
Secondary pupils at Washwood Heath Academy will be sent home at 12:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, while primary pupils leave at 12:40pm. Learning will continue via remote systems.
Bellfield Schools
Bellfield Daycare, Nursery and Infants, off Vineyard Road in Northfield, will close early at 1:30pm for the next three days.
Oasis Community Learning
Oasis Community Learning on Wattville Road, Handsworth, shut at 1:30pm on Tuesday, citing the need to prioritise wellbeing and safety. The academy will be fully closed on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, due to the red warning, and will remain closed on Friday, June 26, for a scheduled inset day.
Hodge Hill Primary School
Hodge Hill Primary School, off Twycross Grove, will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Halesowen College
Halesowen College said: "Due to the current extreme heat conditions, all teaching and learning will move online for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June. Evening theatre performances are continuing and are being risk assessed on a daily basis."
Thornton Primary School and Sladefield Infant School
Thornton Primary School on Thornton Road and Sladefield Infant School on Bamville Road, Ward End, are both closing early this week. An email stated: "Classroom temperatures are very difficult to manage safely in the extreme heatwave, despite following all Government guidance. Please collect your child at 1pm tomorrow and Thursday. School will close at the normal time today."
Wood Green Academy
Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury is sending pupils home for two days. The school noted that a small number of air-conditioned rooms and south-facing, glass-fronted spaces are particularly susceptible to overheating. It will close on Wednesday and Thursday.
Coleshill School
Coleshill School will close on Wednesday and Thursday because it cannot keep buildings at a safe temperature.
Lea Forest School
A statement on the Lea Forest School site said: "As you will be aware, our school is in an area currently under a red warning for extreme heat and following official guidance, we have therefore taken the decision to close on Wednesday and Thursday this week. We will re-open once the red warning has been lifted (Monday 29th June). We never take the decision to close the school lightly, and we fully recognise the impact and disruption this has on our pupils and families."
New Ways School
An email to parents of the Kings Norton school said: "Please be advised that due to the extreme weather we are experiencing, we have made the difficult decision to close New Ways School to both staff and students for the next two days. This is to ensure the safety of all. Although measures have been put in place today; including extra drinks, ice lollies, adaptations to lessons, room changes and extra fans etc, this is not sustainable for a comfortable or effective learning environment. Work packs will be sent home via email through Arbor for students to complete if they feel well enough in the heat and are able to do so."
Arthur Terry School
Arthur Terry School, off Kittoe Road in Sutton Coldfield, will close on Wednesday and Thursday. An email said: "We have made the difficult decision to close Arthur Terry School on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June 2026. Despite our best efforts to keep the school safe and comfortable, these unprecedented temperatures exceed the measures we have in place to keep classrooms and school buildings cool. We have explored a range of options to manage the conditions on site, however we are currently unable to maintain a safe and suitable environment for students and staff throughout the school day when all pupils and staff are onsite. I explored early closures, but the heat is due to be at its most dangerous levels between 11am and 2pm and therefore it would not be safe for schools to end at this point. The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone within our school community must remain our top priority."
Holy Hill School
A message from the Rednal school said: "Due to the warm weather and hot temperatures in school in the afternoon we will close to ALL pupils at 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Children are able to wear their PE kit everyday this week."
