A growing number of schools across West Sussex have announced closures or early finishes, as the county experiences exceptionally high temperatures during the ongoing heatwave.

The Met Office has issued an extended red extreme heat warning, with temperatures forecast to approach 40°C across parts of southern England.

Several schools have changed their arrangements because of the extreme conditions.

This is the list of closures and early finishes we are aware of so far. The article will be updated but parents should check directly with the school for the latest information.

A growing number of schools across West Sussex have announced closures or early finishes, as the county experiences exceptionally high temperatures during the ongoing heatwave. (Photo by Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — A growing number of schools across West Sussex have announced closures or early finishes, as the county experiences exceptionally high temperatures during the ongoing heatwave. (Photo by Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

The Forest School, Horsham announced it will close at 12pm, on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Collyer's Sixth Form College was closed all day on Wednesday and Thursday.

Steyning Grammar School announced an early closure because of the extreme heat. Parents were advised to check the school's communications and social media channels for full details.

Steyning Primary School said it would close early on Wednesday and Thursday. The school confirmed altered arrangements.

Upper Beeding Primary School is closing two hours early on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with pupils finishing at 1.15pm. The school has said children who cannot be collected early will be able to remain on site until the normal end of the school day.

St Wilfrid's Catholic School, in Crawley, ha s been closed because of the extreme heat. The latest update on Thursday confirmed it will be closed on Friday, because of the extended red alert. In his letter to parents, headteacher Michael Ferry said: "At the time of writing to you, I am aware that at least another three secondary schools in Crawley will also be closed and likely that at least one more will make that decision later today."

Ifield Community College, Crawley, is closed until next week. It was initially closed on Wednesday and Thursday but an update on Facebook read: “Due to the red heat warning for Crawley extended to Friday 26th June, we have made the difficult decision to remain closed on Friday 26th June.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly but we feel it is necessary and appropriate given the health risks caused by the heat. We have received many messages of support for the decision to close on Wednesday and Thursday; we apologise for having to ask for your understanding here again. Year 11 Graduation ball will still take place as planned. Yr12 trip to Nottingham now postponed.”

Tanbridge House School was among the Horsham schools introducing early closure arrangements, because of the heat.

Vale School, Worthing, informed parents that children can be collected from 1.30pm because of the high temperatures.

Multiple readers have reported that Fordwater School, Chichester, was closed on Wednesday and Thursday because of the heatwave.

Parents have reported that Heene Primary School, Worthing, allowed children to be collected at 1.15pm, as temperatures continued to rise.

According to reports from parents, Orchards Infant School, Worthing, introduced a half-day arrangement because of the extreme heat.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Worthing, had not closed, at the time of writing, but parents and carers were reportedly been given the option to collect children early because of high temperatures inside the building.

Parents reported that St Anthony's School, in Chichester, was closed on Wednesday and will also be closed on Thursday.

The Academy, Selsey, reportedly allowed students to leave at 2pm on Wednesday and advised that pupils should not attend on Thursday unless a parent or guardian is unable to care for them. A 2pm finish is also understood to be planned for Friday.

According to reports, Chichester Free School closed at 1pm on Wednesday and remained closed on Thursday.

Parents reported that Portfield Primary Academy, Chichester, allowed children to leave at 1.15pm on both Wednesday and Thursday because of the extreme heat.

A parent said Cornfield School, Littlehampton, will be closed on Thursday because of the extreme heat.

Broadwater CE Primary School, in Rectory Gardens, Worthing, has emailed parents to say the school will be closed on Thursday.

Worthing High School, in South Farm Road, closed on Thursday.

The Laurels Primary School, in Durrington, was also reportedly closing.

Another school, parents have reported as, shut tomorrow is Palatine Primary School, in Worthing.

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said: "We are advising schools to follow Department for Education guidance, which states that they are not normally expected to close in hot weather but should take sensible steps to keep children safe and comfortable.

"We encourage parents and carers to check their child's school website or social media channels, and to look out for email updates."

Parents are advised to monitor emails, school websites and social media channels throughout the day, as further changes may be announced at short notice.

Know of another school closure or early finish? Contact our newsroom and we'll update this list.

To see the full list for East Sussex, see: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/full-list-of-school-closures-in-east-sussex-amid-heatwave-8757424