Temperatures of over 104F (40C) are possible, breaking the current record of 101.6F (38.7C) set 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 could also change start, finish and play times to avoid the hottest parts of the day, the official heatwave plan for England suggested.
The government has not yet sent a major communiqué to schools about the heatwave, but it is understood one could be sent later this week.
A Department for Education source said any heatwave-related school closures were “comparable to a snow day” and therefore “a matter for headteachers”, as Covid-era laws allowing ministers to block such closures are no longer valid.
A DfE spokesman pointed to NHS guidance as the current reference point for schools.
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