Thousands of schools cancel classes before recod-breaking heat

Schools across the county are closing ahead of today’s heat (Picture: Getty)

Thousands of pupils will either not be able to attend school this week or will head home earlier than usual because of full or partial school closures amid the extreme heat.

Hundreds of schools have made decisions to either close completely, send children home early or make other adjustments such as relaxing uniform rules to help keep students and staff safe and comfortable.

It comes as a heat dome settling over western Europe could bring temperatures of up to 40C by Wednesday, with this latest heatwave expected to surpass the record for June set ...