A Worcester school has become the seventh in the county to say it will close because of the hot weather.

Pitmaston Primary School in St John’s will be closed to children on Monday, July 18 with temperatures expected to reach near record highs in England.

A message on the school’s website says: “Due to a red extreme heat warning from the Met Office, school will be closed to children on Monday, July 18.

“The arrangements for Tuesday, July 19 are to be confirmed.”

The Chase in Malvern has confirmed it will be closed on both Monday and Tuesday.

Pershore High School and schools that are part of the Mercian Educational Trust - Dines Green Academy, Northleigh CE Primary, Great Malvern Primary and Somers Park - will all be closed on Monday.

READ MORE: Five Worcestershire schools confirm they are closing on Monday due to heatwave

Another Worcestershire school confirms it will close because of heatwave

Lyppard Grange Primary School in Warndon says it is planning to open on Monday and Tuesday and is following guidance from the Department for Education.

Advice put out by the DfE this week reads: “We aren’t advising schools to close during high temperatures, but school leaders should make sure they take any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable.”

It also warns that children are more susceptible to high temperatures than adults and urges staff to look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Schools advised to cancel non-essential activities

Worcestershire County Council has told all the county's schools to take action and prepare for the heatwave.

In a communication sent to school leaders, Worcestershire Children First wrote: “We strongly advise you cancel all non-essential activities to ensure the safety of staff and pupils.

“We recognise that leaders will have to take mitigating actions to manage the health and safety of staff and pupils and these decisions will be taken at school level dependent on circumstances at the time.”

READ MORE: Met Office weather forecast hour-by-hour for Worcestershire as heatwave warning turns red

Red Hill CofE Primary School is among the schools planning to stay open, and has said it will be reducing physical activities outside, adjusting the length of time outside at playtimes and keeping children hydrated.

In a newsletter to parents, the school said: “In line with guidance from Worcestershire Children's First, if you wish to keep your child at home during the hot weather, this will be recorded as an authorised absence.”

This means any absences because of the heat will be treated the same as a pupil being too ill to attend school.