PARENTS who have opted to keep children at home because of the heat have been told they won't be penalised by schools. 

Schools that have opted to stay open despite the high temperatures have written to parents to say that anyone who has kept children at home will have their absence marked as 'authorised.'

An authorised absence is usually one that relates to a child being ill or having a necessary medical appointment. 

The Rivers Academy Trust, which has 12 schools across the county, and Fort Royal Community Primary School have both decided to keep their doors open on Monday (July 18) and Tuesday (July 19).   

READ MORE: Rivers Trust keeps Worcestershire schools open during heatwave

Rivers Trust has opted to keep all schools and has told parents they will authorise any absences over the next two days due to the extreme weather conditions.

The school issued a letter to parents that said: 

"As you are aware, all of our schools have put in various measures to mitigate the risks of the forthcoming predicted extreme temperatures in order to keep our schools open at all. 

"I am writing to you to inform you that, if you wish to keep your child/children at home over the next few days, this absence will be recorded as authorised on this occasion. 

"If you are able to support your child to complete some work during cooler parts of the day, please find a range of suitable lessons on the Oak Academy Website.

"If you are not sending your child to school, please email the school to let them know." 

Fort Royal Community Primary School on Wyld's Lane in Worcester has also decided to keep its doors open during the heatwave. 

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The school has advised parents of the following: 

"As you will be aware, temperatures for next Monday and Tuesday are set to be in the mid to high 30s. Following advice from Worcester Children First, we will be taking a number of precautions to protect our children from the sun and heat.

"Please ensure that your child has a sun hat/suncream / water bottle in school next week. We will be reducing physical activities outside, adjusting the length of time outside at playtimes and encouraging children to keep hydrated.

"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."

Some schools opted to shut completely after the Met Office issued an unprecedented red alert warning about temperatures reaching at least the late 30s - the highest on record for the UK.