Hertfordshire County Council has shared a statement on school closures as a “small number” have shut.
Schools in the county are not obliged to tell the council if they do decide to close due to extreme heat this week, meaning there is no central list, but it is aware of some cases at special schools.
Headteachers are told to make their decision based on individual risk assessments, looking at their own location and the cooling equipment they have on site or otherwise available.
⚠️⚠️🔴 Red weather warning issued 🔴⚠️⚠️
Extreme heat across parts of central/southern England and Wales
Wednesday 0900 - Thursday 2100
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/IwXnyU1E7y— Met Office (@metoffice) June 22, 2026
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "In light of the rare red warning for extreme heat covering Hertfordshire, it's important for schools and early years settings to take steps to manage the risks associated with hot weather.
“The Department for Education and UK Health Security Agency have issued guidance for schools, and we have advised heads to carry out appropriate risk assessments and make reasonable adjustments where necessary.
“It's up to headteachers to make right decisions for their school and students, and our health and education teams will provide support as necessary."
They added: "Extreme heat may pose a particular risk for special schools and their pupils and we are aware that a small number of special schools have made the decisions to close this week."
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At least some of the special schools which have closed are believed to be in the Stevenage area and no closures have been publicly confirmed near Watford, although such messages are generally shared with parents directly via email.
Watford Grammar School for Boys is among the Watford-area schools to be introducing shorter hours, with the school closing for years 7 to 10, at 2.50pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
- View Hertfordshire County Council's full advice for this week's heatwave here: Keep safe in extremely hot weather
Uniform requirements have also been modified.
Fleetville Junior School in Hatfield Road, St Albans, has brought forward its finishing time to 12.45pm for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
An amber heat warning from the Met Office is currently in place and a red warning comes into effect tomorrow at 9am, lasting until 9pm on Thursday.
The council is prepared for the warning to potentially be extended to Friday, as 36C temperatures are forecast on that day.
Is your child's school closing early or not opening this week? Do you agree with the decision? Let us know in the comments.
You can also get in by emailing fintan.mcguinness@newsquest.co.uk
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