Hundreds of schools to close across England and Wales amid red heat warning

• Hundreds of schools across England and Wales are dismissing pupils early this week due to extreme temperatures.
• A rare red warning for extreme heat is in place until Thursday, with temperatures forecast to reach nearly 40C.
• The heatwave is anticipated to exceed the June record of 35.6C from 1976 and could approach the UK's highest recorded temperature of 40.3C in July 2022.
• According to Somerset Council, some 100 schools in the area will be closed over the next three days, while the same numbers will be at least partially closed in Buckinghamshire, alongside 86 schools in Gloucestershire.
• Some schools are permitting children to wear PE kit instead of full uniform to help them cope with the heat.

IN FULL

Full list of schools closing or shutting early as heatwave scorches