Parents have been told their children's school will close early on a day this week due to an extreme heat warning being issued by the Met Office.
St Peter’s Primary School in Billericay confirmed it will shut on Wednesday afternoon, with pupils dismissed earlier than usual as temperatures are expected to reach dangerous levels.
The Met Office has issued a red warning for extreme heat, advising that “dangerous weather is expected” and urging people to take action to keep themselves safe.
The school will open as normal at 8.40am.
However, reception pupils will be collected at 1pm, while children in Years 1 to 6 will leave at 1.15pm.
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Parents and carers have been asked to collect children promptly and inform the school of any alternative arrangements as soon as possible.
In a message to families, school leaders said the decision had been made in line with other schools within their trust and stressed that early closure is only considered in exceptional circumstances.
They added that a lack of air conditioning and rising classroom temperatures had contributed to the decision, with conditions already becoming uncomfortable for pupils and staff.
The red heat warning is also in place for Thursday (June 25), and the school said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates to parents and carers.
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