Schools shut after lightning strikes damage electrical systems during UK heatwave

Lightning strikes have forced two UK schools to close after days of heatwave disruption, as extreme temperatures gave way to thunderstorms and new weather warnings.

Churchill Community College in Wallsend, North Tyneside, closed after a lightning strike damaged its electrical systems. The school said on Facebook that it was shut on the day of the strike and expected to reopen on Monday.

Chelmer Valley High School in Chelmsford said lightning caused significant damage and that it would stay closed for 18 days while repairs are carried out.

The closures came after more than 1,300 schools had already been affected by the heatwave, with some shut completely and others shortening the school day as temperatures rose under rare red warnings earlier in the week.

Heatwave first, storms next

The weather pattern across the UK shifted quickly from one extreme to another. Earlier in the week, the country saw record June heat, with temperatures reaching 36.7C in Somerset and schools forced to alter their normal operations.

By the time the heat began to ease, thunderstorms were moving in. The Met Office issued yellow thunderstorm warnings across parts of the UK, including the North East and parts of Scotland, as the risk changed from heat stress to lightning and heavy rain.

Northern Powergrid also warned of possible power disruptions during the storm period, highlighting the wider risk to services, homes and businesses if storms intensified.

What the closures mean

The immediate impact is lost school time for pupils, childcare disruption for families and extra pressure on staff trying to restart normal operations. For schools, lightning damage can also mean electrical repairs, safety checks and uncertain reopening timelines.

Chelmer Valley High School's 18-day closure suggests more extensive damage than a brief shutdown, while Churchill Community College's earlier reopening expectation points to a shorter interruption there.

The broader concern is that the same weather system has already created two separate waves of disruption: first from dangerous heat, then from thunderstorms and lightning. That makes planning more difficult for schools, parents and local authorities.

What to watch next

The main open questions are whether Churchill Community College does reopen on Monday as planned, how much repair work Chelmer Valley High School needs, and whether additional schools are hit by lightning or power loss as the storm warnings continue.

Officials will also be watching for any further disruption to electricity supply, transport and local services if thunderstorms persist across affected parts of the UK.