Closing schools during Britain's Saharan-like heatwave would be 'irresponsible', a leading education provider has claimed.

Sites in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire have decided to shut, while others will close early today and tomorrow amid warnings that temperatures may reach 43C.

But Oasis, one of England's largest academy chains, has said its 50-plus schools in England will stay open. 

Its founder Steve Chalke told : 'The decision to shut a school at any time has huge ramifications, economically and socially.'

'Many of our children's homes are very small and hot' so shutting schools would be 'unbelievably irresponsible', he argued.

It would effect the poorest families the most because they are less able to work remotely and care for children at home. 

'It's like lockdown — it was a class construct — you can't work remotely if you are a cleaner or working in a supermarket,' Mr Chalke said.

Britain has already been brought to a near standstill by the national emergency, with trains and GP surgeries cancelled.