In a letter to parents last Friday (15 July), Executive Principal Carl Wakefield said Plume Academy would close to students at 1.20pm on Monday and Tuesday, due to potentially record-breaking temperatures.

Mr Wakefield told Nub News: "We have been mitigating risk with regards the current high temperatures since the middle of last week and as the temperatures really started to rise and were then predicted to keep on doing so. This included students having the option of wearing their academy PE kit and staff relaxing their usual smart dress code. Also, ensuring the best possible ventilation in every classroom, teaching space and office, supporting students to find shade at break and lunch, installing a hose pipe on both campus fields and continually encouraging students to hydrate was communicated via assemblies, staff emails and parental letters and tweets.

"After Friday afternoon's unprecedented red heat warning declaration and national emergency by the Met office, and the move to the highest level of four heat alert by the UK Health Security Agency, that led to me calling an immediate meeting with my Executive Leadership Team and brokering a discussion with our Chair of Trustees. What was very quickly confirmed was that we simply could not mitigate risk at lunchtime and during the hottest part of our working day which is from 2-4pm – our last lesson of the day and when our students are travelling home.

"We are legally bound, and rightly so, to ensure we suitably assess any risks posed to the health and safety of our stakeholders, and to take action where necessary and reasonably practicable. The temperature of the workplace is one of the potential hazards that employers should address to meet their legal obligations.

"Furthermore, in the latest associated guidance published by the Department for Education on Friday afternoon, it states that 'if necessary, consider rearranging school start, finish, and play times to avoid teaching during very hot conditions.' Ultimately, in addition to implementing all of the other measures suggested by the DfE in the same guidance, this is what we have done in an attempt to further mitigate the risk posed by these unprecedented temperatures.

"This decision has also been fully supported and appreciated by our very well represented professional associations, as well as our parents and carers with many positive communications received since my letter was sent out on Friday afternoon, as opposed to zero challenges or concerns raised thus far.

"To conclude, I care greatly about the stakeholders of Plume Academy and as has been the case throughout the pandemic period, we will continue to take whatever action is required to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing remains our absolute priority and of paramount importance."

Read about how the Met Office's first ever 'Red Extreme heat warning' will affect parts of the Maldon District today and tomorrow.

View the letter to parents here:

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