Pupils at Ynystawe Primary School are being sent home at 12.30pm today as the summer’s third heatwave peaks — making it the only school in Swansea to close early because of the heat.
The school is listed as “Closed to all pupils from 12.30 on Friday 10 July” on Swansea Council’s school closures page, which states that all schools are assumed open unless otherwise confirmed by the headteacher.
Temperatures in the Swansea Valley are forecast to peak at around 32C this afternoon — the hottest day of the spell locally.
The Met Office said Thursday and Friday would bring the highest temperatures of the heatwave, with parts of England expected to reach 35C or 36C.
Amber heat health alerts are in force across much of England, though none apply in Wales.
School closure lists published by councils show Ynystawe is one of just four schools in Wales closing early because of the heat today.
The other three are all in Powys: Berriew, Buttington/Trewern and Llanfechain primary schools, with a string of schools across England also shutting early or closing altogether.
Llanfechain school, near the Llanymynech border, said in a statement on its website that classroom temperatures became “extremely uncomfortable” during last week’s hot weather, and that with no air conditioning to cool the building, closing early was the most appropriate way to safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff.
Elsewhere, a school in Worcestershire has closed altogether because of extreme heat inside its building, while an academy in Swindon is finishing at 1pm and has cancelled detentions for the rest of the week.
Ynystawe Primary has not yet published its own reasons for the early finish. Swansea Bay News has asked the school about the decision and how parents were notified.
Parents are advised to check the school’s own messages for collection arrangements, with the council’s closures page and social media channels carrying the latest updates.
It is the second time this summer that heat has closed classrooms — hundreds of schools across the UK shut during June’s unprecedented heatwave, when the UK recorded its hottest June day on record.
That June spell put heavy pressure on services in south west Wales, with the Welsh Ambulance Service declaring a critical incident as 999 demand soared.
There is some relief for families with an unexpected half-day: Blackpill Lido is expected to open today after weeks of repairs, just in time for the hottest day of the year so far.
The heat is set to continue into Saturday, at around 31C, before easing from Sunday into the start of next week.
Any response from the school will be added to this article once received.
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