More than 100 schools across Wales have announced full or partial closures on Wednesday as a Met Office red weather warning for extreme heat comes into effect, with temperatures expected to hit 39°C. Many other schools are implementing safety measures such as serving cold lunches, shortening break times, relaxing uniform rules, and adapting lessons. Some schools plan to partially close at 1pm when temperatures peak.
The Welsh Government wrote to every council in Wales outlining guidance for schools during the red warning. Each local authority can implement its own measures, but overarching advice aims to keep schools open and safe for pupils.
Bridgend County Borough Council
Bridgend council confirmed that all nine secondary schools in the county borough will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Numerous primary schools are also shut on both days, including Abercedin Primary, Afon-y-Felin Primary, Archdeacon John Lewis CiW Primary, Betws Primary, Blaengarw Primary, Brackla Primary, Bryncethin Primary, Brynmenyn Primary, Bryntirion Infants, Cefn Glas Infants, Coety Primary, Corneli Primary, Coychurch Primary, Croesty Primary, Ffaldau Primary, Garth Primary, Litchard Primary, Llangewydd Junior, Llangynwyd Primary, Maes-Yr-Haul Primary, Nantyffyllon Primary, Nantymoel Primary, Newton Primary, Nottage Primary, Ogmore Vale Primary, Pencoed Primary, Penybont Primary, Penyfai Primary, Plasnewydd Primary, Porthcawl Primary, St Mary's Catholic Primary, St Roberts Catholic Primary, The Bridge Alternative Provision PRU, Trelales Primary, Tremains Primary, Tynyrhoel Primary, West Park Primary, Ygol Bryn Castell, Ysgol Cynwyd Sant, and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon Y Cymoedd. Mynydd Cynffig Primary will be open until 1pm.
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Caerphilly Council confirmed that all secondary schools across the county borough have decided to close on Wednesday and Thursday. Primary schools are assessing their individual situations. The following primary schools will be closed to all pupils on both days: Aberbargoed Primary, Bedwas Infants, Abercan Primary, Bedwas Junior, Blackwood Primary, Bryn Awel Primary, Cefn Fforest Primary, Coed-Y-Brain Primary, Crumlin Primary, Cwm Ifor Primary, Cwmaber Junior, Cwmcarn Primary, Cwrt Rawlin Primary, Deri Primary, Fleur-de-Lys Primary, Glyn-Gaer Primary, Greenhill Primary, Hendre Junior, Hengoed Primary, Idris Davies School, Libanus Primary, Machen Primary, Maesycwmmer Primary, Nantyparc Primary, Pengam Primary, Penllwyn Primary, Pentwynmawr Primary, Plasyfelin Primary, Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary, Risca Primary, St Helens Catholic Primary, The Learning Centre, The Twyn School, Tir y Berth Primary, Trinant Primary, Trinity Fields Special School, Ty Isaf Infants, Ty Sign Primary, Tir y Wern Primary, Tynewydd Primary, Upper Rhymney Primary, White Rose Primary, Y Cwmpawd Gilfach, Ysgol Cwm Derwen, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Ysgol Gymraeg Trelyn, Ysgol Ifor Back, Ysgol Penalltau, Ysgol Y Lawnt, and Ystrad Mynach Primary. Pantside Primary is also closed on Wednesday, with a possible closure on Thursday. St Martins Comprehensive will not reopen until Monday.
A Caerphilly council spokesperson said: "The Met Office has issued amber and red weather warnings for extreme heat affecting Wales from today through to Friday. The council is not advising schools to close because of the forecast high temperatures. Our headteachers are best placed to assess the individual circumstances at their school and make decisions based on local conditions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff."
Swansea City & County Council
Primary school closures in Swansea include: Birchgrove Primary open Wednesday but closed Thursday; Blaenymaes Primary closed after lunch Wednesday and Thursday; Burlais Primary closed from 1pm Wednesday and Thursday; Cadle Primary closed to nursery and buds STF pupils all day Wednesday and Thursday; Casllwchwr Primary nursery closed Wednesday and Thursday; Cilâ Primary closed to nursery all day Wednesday and Thursday, closed to all pupils from 12.30pm both days; Christchurch CiW Primary closed from 1pm Wednesday and Thursday, nursery closed all day; Clase Primary closed to STF, Flying Start and Nursery Wednesday and Thursday; Clydach Primary closed from 12.30pm Wednesday and Thursday; Crwys Primary open until 12.30 Wednesday; Gendros Primary closed Wednesday and Thursday; Glais Primary closed Thursday; Gors Primary closed from 1pm Wednesday and Thursday; Gowerton Primary closed from 12.30pm Wednesday and Thursday; Gwyrosydd Primary closed to STF and nursery Wednesday and Thursday; Llangyfelach Primary closed Wednesday and Thursday; Penclawdd Primary closed from 12.30pm both days; Pengelli Primary closed Wednesday and Thursday; Penllergaer Primary closed to nursery and specialist pupils, all pupils from 12.30pm; Pentre'r Graig EIP closed from midday Wednesday and all day Thursday; Portmead closed Wednesday and Thursday; Salt View closed from 1pm Wednesday and Thursday; Sketty Primary nursery closed Wednesday and Thursday; Townhill Primary closed from 1pm Wednesday and Thursday; Ynystawe closed from midday Tuesday, full closure Wednesday and Thursday; YGG Brynmor closed from 1pm Wednesday and Thursday for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2; YGG Tirdeunaw closed Wednesday and Thursday; Ysgol Calon Lân closed Wednesday and Thursday; Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bryn y Mor closed after 1pm Wednesday and Thursday for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
Secondary school closures: Birchgrove open Wednesday, closed Thursday; Bishop Gore open to Year 7 only, closed to others Wednesday and Thursday; Gowerton closed Wednesday and Thursday; Penyrheol open to Years 7 and 10 only; Pontarddulais open to Year 7 only Wednesday; YGG Bryntawe closed after lunch Wednesday and all day Thursday; YG Gwyr closed Wednesday.
Cardiff Council
Birchgrove Primary closes at 1pm Wednesday and Thursday. Cardiff High School will shut at 12.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Llanishen High School is closed Wednesday and Thursday. St Teilo's Church in Wales High School is closed Wednesday and Thursday. Ysgol Glantaf closes at midday Wednesday and all day Thursday. Ysgol Pwll Coch is closed Wednesday and Thursday. Corpus Christi High School is closed Wednesday and Thursday. Ysgol Hamadryad closes at lunchtime Wednesday and all day Thursday.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Many schools in RCT are closed on Wednesday and Thursday, including Abercynon Community Primary, Aberdare Community School, Aberdare Park Primary (closes 12.30pm), Aberdare Town C in W Primary, Abernant Primary, Caergarw Primary, Cardinal Newman Comprehensive, Coedpenmaen Primary, Cwmbach C in W Primary, Cwmbach Community Primary (closes after lunch 12.30pm), Cwmclydach Community Primary (closes 1pm Wednesday), Cwmdar Primary (closes 1pm), Cwmlai Primary, Ferndale Community School, Gwauncelyn Primary, Gwaunmeisgyn Primary, Hendreforgan Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, Llwyncrwn Primary, Llwynypia Primary (closes 1pm), Maesgwyn Special School, Mountain Ash Comprehensive, Old Lady's RC Primary, Parc Lewis Primary (closes 12.30pm), Parc Primary (closes 1pm Wednesday), Park Lane Special School, Pengeulan Primary (closes 1pm), Penrhiwceibr Primary, Penrhys Primary (open until 1pm), Penygawsi Primary, Penyrenglyn Community Primary (closes 1pm), Penywaun Primary (closes 12.30pm), Perthcelyn Community Primary (closes 12.45pm), Pontrhondda Primary (closes 1pm Wednesday), Porth Community School, St Margaret's RC Primary, St Michael's RC Primary, Tai Education Centre, Ton Infants (closes 1pm), Ton Pentre Junior (closes 1pm), Tonyrefail Community School, Tref Y Rhyg Primary, Treorchy Comprehensive, Treorchy Primary (closes 1pm), Trereobart Primary, Ty Gwyn Education Centre, Williamstown Primary (closes 1pm), Ynysboeth Primary, Ysgol Afon Wen, Ysgol Bro Taf, Ysgol Garth Olwg (early close), Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf (closes 12.30pm), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castellau (closes 12.30pm), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James (closes 12.30pm), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn Y Forwyn (closes 12.30pm), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail (closes 12.30pm), Ysgol Llanhari, Ysgol Nantgwyn, and Ysgol Ty Coch.
Torfaen County Borough Council
Torfaen council said: "All schools, with the exception of West Mon Y10 and Woodlands Nursery (who have air conditioning where pupils will be taught), will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday."
Carmarthenshire County Council
All secondary schools in Carmarthenshire are closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Some primaries have also closed. The council's cabinet member for education, Glynog Davies, said: "Carmarthenshire County Council has issued guidance to all schools, with headteachers asked to review and adapt arrangements during this period of hot weather depending on their school's circumstances."
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
All schools in Blaenau Gwent are closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to the extreme weather.
Ceredigion County Council
Ceredigion council said there are currently no plans to close schools. A spokesperson said: "Every effort should be made to keep schools and settings open where it is safe and practicable to do so."
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
The following schools are shut on Wednesday and Thursday: Abercanaid Primary, Afon Taf High School, Bedlinog Primary, Caedraw Primary, Coed-Y-Dderwen Primary, Cyfarthfa High School, Cyfarthfa Park Primary, Edwardsville Primary, Goetre Primary, Greenfield School, Gwaunfarren Primary, Heolgerrig Primary, Pantysgallog Primary, Pen-y-Dre High School, Trelewis Primary, Troedyrhiw Primary, Twynyrodyn School, Ty Dysgu, Ysgol Gymraeg Rhyd-y-Grug, and Ysgol Santes Tudful. Blessed Carlo Acutis - BHHS Campus is closed on Wednesday.
Newport City Council
Llanwern High School, Newport High School, and Caerleon Lodge Hill Primary School are closed on Wednesday and Thursday. A spokesperson said the decision lies with individual headteachers based on risk assessments.
Neath Port Talbot Council
The following schools are closed to all pupils on Wednesday and Thursday: Abbey Primary, Alltwen Primary, Awel y Mor Primary, Baglan Primary, Blaenbaglan Primary, Blaendulais Primary, Blaengwrach Primary, Blaenhonddan Primary, Bryncoch CiW Primary, Catwg Primary, Central Primary, Cilffriw Primary, Coed Hirwuan Primary, Creunant Primary, Crymlyn Primary, Cwmafan Primary, Cwmnedd Primary, Cwmtawe Community School, Dwr Y Felin Comprehensive, Eastern Primary, Godre'rgraig Primary, Llangiwg Primary, Llangatwg Community School, Maesmarchog Community Primary, Melin Primary, Rhos Primary, Rhydyfro Primary, Sandfields Primary, St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, St Joseph's Catholic Primary, St Joseph's RC School and Sixth Form Centre, St Therese's Catholic Primary, Tairgwaith Primary, Tonnau Primary Community School, Tywyn Primary, Waunceirch Primary, YGG Blaendulais, YGG Castell-nedd, YGG Cwm Nedd, YGG Cwmllynfell, YGG Gwaun Cae Gurwen, YGG Pontardawe, YGG Rhosafan, YGG Trebannws, YGG Tregeles, YGG Tyle'r Ynn, Ysgol Carreg Hir, Ynysfach Primary, Ysgol Bae Baglan, Ysgol Cwm Brombil, Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera - Bro Dur, Ysgol Hendrefelin, and Ysgol Maes Y Coed. Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School will be closed on Wednesday.
Monmouthshire County Council
Closures include: Gilwern Primary, Llantillio Pertholey Primary, Magor CIW Primary & Nursery (closes midday Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Raglan Primary, Rogiet Primary (closes 12.30pm Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Shirenewtown Primary, Undy Primary & Nursery (closes midday Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Archbishop Rowan Williams (closes midday Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Castle Park Primary (closes midday Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Dewstow Primary & Nursery (closes midday Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Durand Primary & Nursery (closes midday Wednesday, full closure Thursday), The Dell Primary, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fin, Chepstow School (closes 12.15pm Wednesday and Thursday), Kymin View Primary (closes 12.30pm), Llandogo Primary, Usk CIW Primary, Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy, Goytre Fawr Primary, Overmonnow Primary, Nursery & SNRB, King Henry VIII School (closes 11.30am Wednesday, full closure Thursday), St Marys RC, Cross Ash, Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary (closes 12.45pm Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Llanfoist Primary (closes 12.45pm Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Pembroke Primary, Nursery & SNRB (closes 1pm Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Thornwell Primary & Nursery (closes 1pm Wednesday, full closure Thursday), Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni & Meithrin, and Our Ladys & St Michaels RC Primary.
A Monmouthshire council spokesperson said: "Monmouthshire County Council are monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with neighbouring local authorities, emergency planning colleagues and Welsh Government."
Powys County Council
Ysgol Golwg y Cwm, Ysgol Maesydderwen, and Ysgol Penmaes are closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Brynllywarch Hall School is closed on Wednesday.
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Llansannor & Llanharry C.I.W. Primary School will close at 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Other schools may close or partially close.
Flintshire County Council
All schools are currently open. Chief officer Claire Homard said: "Decisions on how best to implement this guidance are made by individual headteachers and governing bodies."
Gwynedd Council
All schools are open. A spokesperson said: "Any decision to close a specific school would be made by the headteacher and governing body."
Conwy County Borough Council
All schools are open, with local risk assessments in place.
Denbighshire County Council
No schools are shown as closed on the council's website.
Isle of Anglesey County Council
A spokesperson said: "There are currently no county-wide plans to close schools. Decisions regarding the operation of individual schools rest with headteachers and governing bodies."
Wrexham County Borough Council
Lead member for education Councillor Phil Wynn said: "During this period of extreme warm weather, schools will operate using the Welsh Government guidelines and decisions are made on an individual basis by headteachers for each school."
