HEATED DEBATE
TEMPERATURES are set to soar over the next few days - and as kids still have a couple of weeks left of school, they might be wondering if they can stay at home.
So what does hot weather mean for children in the classroom when the weather heats up?
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If you work in an office you'll know how difficult it can be to concentrate during the summer months, especially if there's no air conditioning.
And that is no different for children who are trying to learn in the classroom.
Often parents are advised to keep their kids at home when it's snowing or stormy.
But just how hot does it have to get in the classroom before children are sent home?
How hot does it need to be to cancel school in the UK?
As in the workplace, there's a minimum temperature, but no maximum temperature that would lead to a school closing.
The Health and Safety Executive says: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."
This means employers and schools have to provide "clean, fresh air".
Temperatures also have to be kept at a comfortable level - however, there is no suggestion as to what this might be.
Guidance suggests taking measures such as opening windows and doors, but rising temperatures do not mean pupils will get the day off.
In many cases, school uniform rooms might be relaxed, but this is a decision that is made by the individual school on the day.
Things like removing ties and blazers might be permitted to help battle the heat.
There's also no legal limit to class size - children between five and seven have a maximum class size of 30 - but it can affect the indoor temperature if more people occupy one room.
The National Union of Teachers said special measures should be put in place to reduce temperatures as soon as staff complain about feeling uncomfortable.
read more on school rules
A report stated: "If in doubt, 26C should be used as the trigger for these measures.
"Other steps may also need to be considered such as closing classrooms which are unacceptably hot and teaching classes elsewhere, or even sending pupils home, provided reasonable notice has been given to parents."
Parents should also make sure their kids are well equipped in a heatwave, with a hat and sunscreen if they are likely to be playing outdoors.
What are my rights if my child is sent home because it's too hot?
Children being sent home could cause a problem for working parents.
Employees do not have a statutory right to be paid in the event that they have an emergency day off with their children.
It is always worth checking with your employer as it can vary, and some companies might offer this as a perk.
However, if school is shut down, parents are usually entitled to unpaid time off to look after the children.
During a heatwave in 2013, school teachers called for maximum legal temperatures to be set in classrooms over fears that it was too hot for the kids.
At the time, the general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union Chris Keates said heatwave temperatures make pupils lethargic, affect concentration and can lead to fainting.
The union called for a maximum classroom temperature of 30C - which would see kids sent home if thermometers rose above this level.
However, the law remains unchanged - and, as with term-time holidays, you could get into trouble for keeping your kids off school in the heatwave.
What should you do during a heatwave?
It is important to stay hydrated in hot weather and it is good to drink lots of water.
Keeping a bottle of sunscreen with you to soak up those UV rays is also highly advisable as is ensuring you have a hat to prevent sunstroke.
Don't head out during the hottest hours of the day either if you can avoid it - this is usually from around 11am to 4pm.
Trying to find shade or breezy spots during these times will be your best bet.
If you're working in an office during the hottest days of the year, read up on your rights and the best tips for surviving in sweltering indoor heat.
You might be using your fan all wrong and making your room even hotter.
Some gadgets could be pushing up your energy bill in a heatwave - here's how to save.