How hot does it have to be for schools to close?

Many parts of the UK are in the midst of heatwave conditions and an amber heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency across England until Monday.

Despite hot classrooms, sweaty commutes and sticky exam conditions it is unlikely that schools will close.

According to the UK government website attendance at school is paramount for children's well-being and schools should remain open even in heatwave conditions.

However, school leaders are obliged to keep children safe in hot weather and make necessary adjustments, especially as children can be more vulnerable to heat-related issues than adults.

Many schools relax their uniform rules, encouraging children and young people to ditch the blazers and tie and opt for light coloured, loose-fitting, cotton clothing or PE kits.

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that PE lessons in particular should be adapted to avoid strenuous physical activity.

Children should also be encouraged to stay in the shade and wear hats and sunscreen.

Hydration is essential in hot weather and children should have easy access to drinking water.

Teachers and care-givers should look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke which can be serious. Symptoms range from general irritability to nausea, headaches and fainting. There is more information here, external.

There is plenty of advice for keeping classrooms cool in the hot weather ahead.

Windows should be opened overnight or in the early morning to allow the daytime heat to escape, then closed again during the day when the air outdoors is hotter than inside.

Curtains and blinds should be kept closed and doors opened for ventilation. Electric light should be kept to a minimum. Mechanical fans can be useful for temperatures under 35C.

The UK Government website states that, "During working hours the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable."

However there is no law that states a maximum or minimum temperature limit, or even any guidance, on how hot it can be in the workplace.

Employers are obliged however to keep temperatures at a comfortable level and the air clean and fresh.

For more advice on how to keep cool in hot weather click here, external.

Temperatures for many over the next few days will peak in the mid to high twenties, even in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The heat will last until Saturday.

In southern and eastern England it could reach the low thirties. The nights will be particularly warm with some areas in the south not dropping below 20C all night.

There will be thundery showers in the west at the weekend, but for many, especially in the east, the heat will remain.

Sunday's temperatures will be lower in the east but it will still be warm. For Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales however it will feel a lot cooler with daytime highs of only 16-20C.

Next week temperatures could build again in the south.

Check your local forecast here or by downloading the BBC Weather app.