Temperatures above 104F (40C) were possible, breaking the current record of 101.6F (38.7C) in 2019, the Met Office said.
Plans drawn up by the NHS and UKHSA warn that children should be kept away from “vigorous physical activity” on days when temperatures exceed 86F (30C).
“Some schools have had to close classrooms where conditions are too hot,” the plans added.
Sports days were canceled on Monday, while schools were also able to rearrange start, end and game times to avoid the hottest parts of the day, the official Heatwave Plan for England has suggested.
No coercive communiqué about the heat wave has yet been sent to schools by the government, but it’s clear that one could be sent later this week.
An education ministry source said all heatwave-related school closures were “similar to a snow day” and therefore a “matter for headteachers” as Covid-era laws allowing ministers to block such closures were no longer in effect .
A DfE spokesperson pointed to the NHS guidelines as the current reference point for schools.