Dear Parents and Carers,
Following careful consideration and a thorough review of the current risk assessment guidance, we have made the decision to close Gowerton School on Wednesday 24th June and Thursday 25th June due to the Red Weather Warning for Extreme Heat, which remains in force until 9:00pm on Thursday 25th June.
This decision has not been taken lightly. The safety, health and wellbeing of our pupils, staff and wider school community must always be our highest priority.
The risk assessment identifies several significant concerns associated with prolonged periods of extreme heat, including:
- High temperatures within classrooms and other teaching spaces, particularly where ventilation is limited.
- Increased risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and, in severe cases, heatstroke.
- Fatigue, headaches, dizziness and reduced concentration, all of which can affect pupils’ wellbeing and ability to learn safely.
- Greater risks for vulnerable individuals, including pupils with medical conditions, additional learning needs, and those who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate signs of distress.
- Risks associated with travelling to and from school and spending time outdoors during periods of extreme heat.
The guidance is clear that schools should remain open only where these risks can be adequately controlled. While a range of mitigation measures are available—including increased hydration, reducing outdoor activities, providing cooler areas and adapting timetables—the severity of the forecast conditions means that we cannot be fully confident that a safe environment can be maintained consistently throughout the school day for all members of our community.
Staff will provide work for pupils via Microsoft Teams.
We appreciate that this decision may cause inconvenience for some families, and we are grateful for your understanding and support. However, we firmly believe that closing the school is the most responsible course of action to protect the wellbeing of pupils and staff during this period of exceptional weather.
We encourage all families to take appropriate precautions during the heatwave by:
- Keeping hydrated and drinking water regularly.
- Staying in shaded or cool environments where possible.
- Limiting strenuous physical activity during the hottest parts of the day.
- Wearing suitable lightweight clothing and sun protection when outdoors.
- Checking regularly on vulnerable family members.
Given the current hot weather conditions, we would encourage families to remain aware of water safety risks, particularly around rivers, lakes, reservoirs and coastal areas. Further advice is available from RoSPA: https://www.rospa.com/leisure-safety/water/advice/summer-water-safety.
We will continue to monitor updates from the Met Office and local authority and will communicate any further information as required. We currently expect the school to reopen as normal on Friday 26 June, subject to any changes in weather conditions or official guidance.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
K. S. Lawlor
Headteacher