Dozens of schools across Bridgend have closed their doors after the Met Office issued a red warning for extreme heat affecting Wales.
The warning comes as a heatwave is expected to impact large parts of England and Wales this week, with temperatures in the affected area forecast to exceed 37C and potentially reach between 38C and 40C in some locations.
The Met Office said the extreme heat will be accompanied by high humidity, increasing discomfort and the risk of health impacts. Very warm and humid nights are also expected, limiting people’s ability to recover from the heat overnight.
It warned that significant disruption to daily life is likely and urged the public to take precautions and adapt daily routines where possible.
Advice had been issued to schools earlier this week outlining measures that could be taken to help keep pupils safe. However, decisions on whether to close remained the responsibility of individual schools.
As a result, the majority of schools across Bridgend County Borough have announced closures on Wednesday, 24 June, citing the red weather warning and concerns over extreme temperatures.
The schools listed as closed on Wednesday, 24 June are:
- Abercerdin Primary
- Afon-y-Felin Primary
- Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School
- Archdeacon John Lewis CiW Primary School
- Betws Primary
- Blaengarw Primary
- Brackla Primary
- Bryncethin Primary
- Brynmenyn Primary
- Brynteg Comprehensive
- Bryntirion Comprehensive
- Bryntirion Infants
- Caerau Primary
- Cefn Glas Infants
- Coety Primary
- Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen
- Corneli Primary
- Coychurch Primary
- Croesty Primary
- Cwmfelin Primary
- Cynffig Comprehensive
- Ffaldau Primary
- Garth Primary
- Heronsbridge
- Litchard Primary
- Llangewydd Junior
- Llangynwyd Primary
- Maes-Yr-Haul Primary
- Maesteg Comprehensive
- Mynydd Cynffig Primary (closing at 1pm)
- Nantyffyllon Primary
- Nantymoel Primary
- Newton Primary
- Nottage Primary
- Ogmore Vale Primary
- Oldcastle Primary
- Pencoed Comprehensive
- Pencoed Primary
- Penybont Primary
- Plasnewydd Primary
- Porthcawl Comprehensive
- Porthcawl Primary
- St Mary’s and St Patrick’s RC Primary
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
- St Roberts Catholic Primary School
- The Bridge Alternative Provision PRU
- Trelales Primary
- Tremains Primary
- Tynyrheol Primary
- West Park Primary
- Ysgol Bryn Castell
- Ysgol Cynwyd Sant
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd
- Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr
- Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon Y Cymoedd
Several schools confirmed they will remain closed for both Wednesday and Thursday, including Brackla Primary, Bryncethin Primary, Heronsbridge, Litchard Primary, St Mary’s and St Patrick’s RC Primary, Trelales Primary and Ysgol Cynwyd Sant.
A number of schools cited risk assessments and health and safety concerns in their closure notices. Litchard Primary said it had made the “difficult decision” to close following a risk assessment and consideration of mitigation measures, while St Roberts Catholic Primary highlighted high indoor temperatures and limited shaded outdoor areas.
The schools listed as remaining open on Wednesday are:
- Cefn Cribwr Primary
- Cylch Meithrin Pencoed
- Penyfai Primary
- Pil Primary
- Test School
- Tondu Primary
- Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sger Corneli
The Met Office said the levels of heat forecast for this week remain extremely rare for the UK and urged people to take steps to protect themselves from the conditions.
Parents and carers are advised to check directly with their child’s school for the latest updates regarding closures and reopening arrangements.
The closures are correct at the time of posting.
