UK heatwave: What are schools doing to keep children cool?

These pupils in Leeds, have been taking lessons in a nearby church to keep cool

PE kit instead of uniform, cancelled sports days and cold treats are just some of the ways schools are responding to the hot weather.

Many schools across England have also partially or completely closed stating they are unable to keep pupils cool during the heatwave.

Last week teachers' leaders urged schools to check the weather forecast and cancel "activities involving strenuous exercise".

Britain's weather forecaster, the Met Office issued its first-ever red "Extreme Heat" warning for parts of England on Monday and Tuesday.

The UK could a see its hottest day in history, with temperatures forecast to top 40 degrees Celsius (104F) this week. Monday is looking like the hottest day on record in Wales, according to the Met Office - with temperatures reaching 37.1 degrees Celsius.

What are schools doing to keep children safe?

Pupils are being encouraged to carry a water bottle and to take frequent sips of water

Although many schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland are on holiday, in England and Wales schools are doing different things to keep children cool.

These include letting children wear things like their PE kit which is often lighter than most school uniforms, and reducing the amount of time outside.

Government advice for schools includes children being in the shade as much as possible, wearing sunscreen and plenty of water to be provided.

Children have told Newsround steps their schools have taken to protect them from the heat.

"At school we've had movie time in the shade during breaks, had ice lollies, the teachers have misted us with water and we've kept hydrated," oldoakmaple told Newsround.

Catering staff at a school in Cheshire have been given neck fans to keep cool

Ovens have been banned in food technology lessons at King Charles I Primary School in Worcestershire, while Burnopfield Primary School in Durham told us they brought in an ice cream van to hand out free freezing treats to all pupils.

Hartford Manor Primary School and Nursery in Cheshire has taken hot food off the lunchtime menu today - and catering staff have been given cooling neck fans to wear.

Meanwhile some pupils in West Yorkshire, spent the morning learning in a nearby church to keep cool.

Why are some sports days being cancelled?

Pupils like Evie are being advised to keep a water bottle with them a drink lots of water during the day

Exercising in hot weather can put extra stress on the body and the NHS advises people to avoid exercising in the hottest time of day.

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days.

Some of you have told Newsround that sports days or PE lessons at your school have been cancelled.

Newsrounder 'Westie dog' commented on the website: "We had to stay in the shade, we couldn't play football and weren't able to even run in case we got too hot!"

Nine-year-old Evie from Doncaster told the BBC PE lessons at her school had been cancelled. She said playtime is "a bit boring, but I understand that if we do run, we will get really tired and hot and sweaty."

Are schools closing?

Many pupils are being allowed to wear PE kits instead of uniform

The government advised schools to stay open adding "school leaders should make sure they take any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable."

But many schools have either partially or fully closed, with some schools saying pupils can go home early.

The Hereford Academy in Herefordshire has changed its timetable so pupils can avoid the "hottest part of the day", allowing pupils to start at 08:30 BST and end at 14:00 from Monday.

Clapton Girls' Academy in east London will also be sending pupils home early on Monday and Tuesday.

The school's head teacher wrote to parents to say: "Already, many classrooms are very hot, even with fans, and students are struggling to keep cool, drink enough water and maintain concentration in lessons."

Many schools have chosen to close completely.

Bedale High School in North Yorkshire is closed on both Monday and Tuesday.

A Facebook post to parents and carers said the school building did not cope well with heat "on a normal hot day - and the next two days cannot be described as normal".

St Christopher's School in Lincoln also announced it would be closed on Monday and Tuesday. In a message to parents headteacher Ms Adkins said "I am not able to keep the building cool enough to safely have children in school."