A mother from Bushey has started a petition to have schools closed in extreme hot weather after she witnessed children “slumped down” when working in the heat.

It comes after the Met Office has issued a red warning of exceptional heat for today and tomorrow.

The organisation has predicted that Watford’s temperature could reach 36C and some parts of the UK could hit 40C.

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Natalie, 42, told Watford Observer she started the petition following a visit to her child’s school where she witnessed children struggling in the heat.

The mother of five said: “I had a meeting at my child’s school on Monday, July 11.

“I watched as the children had their heads slumped down and I listened to a lot of groaning. They were all hot and bothered.

“As the week progressed, I saw the children in the playground after school and they were not their usual happy self.

“They all seemed to be moaning, sweating and were very unhappy.

“My daughter, aged 6, who is very lively, seemed weak and was fatigued.

“She was very irritable and had mood swings.”

Currently, there is no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures in the UK.

However, the World Health Organization has advised that room temperature should be kept below 32C during the day, especially for children.

Natalie carried out research into the problems of children working during the extreme heat.

She said: “Extreme temperature isn't just an inconvenience; it has a direct impact on student performance.

“I found that extreme heat effects mood, decreases memory and cognitive ability, which then affects learning ability.”

Natalie rejected the idea that children would miss out on their education if schools closed due to extreme heat.

She said schools were able to move to remote learning during the pandemic and could do so again.  

Natalie added: “I know people think we are bringing up a snowflake society – that’s not why I have made this petition.

“I’m talking about extreme heat, the kind of heat that Britain is not used to.

“Yes, other countries cope but they are prepared, they have air conditioning in schools.”

To sign the petition, visit https://chng.it/z7skRWTKzD.

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