Dear Parents,

I have received the following from the City Council:

The Met Office has extended an amber extreme heat warning for Sunday 17 July, Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July, as temperatures will build this weekend and early next week for much of England and Wales. The amber warning highlights likely adverse health effects for the public, not just limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat.

Temperatures could be in excess of 35°C in the southeast, and more widely around 32°C within the warning area, with Monday and Tuesday most likely to see temperatures around this level.

There is clear government guidance on looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves, including the use of ventilation, keeping children hydrated, and avoiding vigorous physical activity, encouraging children to wear loose, light coloured clothing and sunhats with wide brims, to use sunscreen, and providing them with plenty of water.

Individual school leaders are responsible for managing their own local circumstances. We are not advising schools to close.

Over the past week, we have been working hard to try and protect the children from the sun. We have been coming in from the sunny play areas early to ensure that they are not out for long periods over the hottest times of the day. I have told children that they can remove their ties and undo their top button, and that they should remove their jumpers.

Please can you send your children in with a sun hat (named) and put sun screen on in the mornings before they come in. They are allowed to drink water at any time throughout the day so please help them to remember their water bottles.

Thanks and best wishes,

Mrs Seymour