introduced partial closures as Wales experiences an unprecedented spell of extreme heat.
The Met Office has issued a red warning for extreme heat covering parts of Wales, warning that maximum temperatures in the shade are likely to exceed 37C, with some places potentially reaching between 38C and 40C.
The heatwave, which is expected to affect large parts of England and Wales, will also bring high humidity and exceptionally warm nights, increasing the potential for discomfort and health impacts.
The Met Office warned that significant disruption to daily life is likely and urged the public to take precautions and adapt their daily routines where possible to cope with the exceptionally rare conditions.
Schools across Wales were issued advice earlier this week on measures they could take to help keep pupils safe, although the decision to close remained with individual schools.
In Cardiff, Whitchurch High School is closed on Thursday but remains open for pupils who cannot be supervised at home. Fitzalan High School is also closed, but remains open for pupils whose parents feel school is the safest place for them.
Schools that are fully closed include:
- Berllan Deg
- Bishop Child
- Bishop of Llandaff High
- Bro Eirwg
- Cardiff High
- Cardiff West Community High
- Cathays
- Coed Glas
- Coed Y Gof
- Corpus Christi
- Coryton
- Cynefin
- Eastern High
- Gabalfa Primary School
- Glan Ceubal
- Glantaf High
- Groes Wen
- Herbert Thompson
- Hywel Dda
- Hollies
- Howardian
- Llanishen High
- Marlborough
- Mary Immaculate High
- Mynydd Bychan
- Nant Caerau
- Ninian
- Pencae
- Pen y Pil
- Plasmawr
- Radyr High
- Springwood
- Stacey
- St Francis
- St Illtyd’s
- St John Lloyd
- St Joseph’s
- St Mary The Virgin
- St Mary’s
- St Patricks
- St Paul’s
- St Teilo’s
- Tongwynlais
- Treganna
- Trelai
- Tremorfa Nursery
- Western Federation
- Willows
- Whitchurch High School
- Windsor Clive
- Y Wern
A number of other schools have introduced partial closures, with many operating half days. These include:
- Adamsdown
- Birchgrove
- Bryn Deri
- Cantonian
- Christ the King
- Creigiau
- Glan Morfa
- Grangetown
- Gwaelod Y Garth
- Hamadryad
- Hawthorn
- Holy Family
- Lakeside
- Lansdowne
- Llandaff City
- Meadowlane
- Millbank
- Moorland
- Mount Stuart
- Pencaerau
- Pen Groes
- Pentrebane
- Pentyrch
- Peter Lea
- Radnor
- Rhiwbeina
- Rhydypennau
- Severn Road
- St Bernadettes
- St Cuthberts
- Ton Y Ywen
- Tredegarville
- Whitchurch High
- Whitchurch Primary
- Willowbrook
Many schools said they had monitored conditions closely throughout the week and had introduced a range of measures to try to remain open.
However, several said temperatures in classrooms had become excessively high despite mitigation measures, while staffing levels had also been affected by closures at other schools and settings. Forecasts showing even higher temperatures on Thursday were also cited as a key reason for closing.
Many schools will continue learning remotely, with teachers making every effort to set work through Microsoft Teams for the lessons pupils would have attended.
Schools have also indicated they expect relaxed uniform policies to remain in place when pupils return on Friday, with a full return to normal expected from Monday.
