A number of schools across Wales are shut tomorrow after damage or power cuts caused by Storm Darragh. Some councils have listed schools as shut on their websites, but stressed closure was the decision of heads and governing bodies.
One secondary affected said pupils would be working remotely. As of 9.30pm on Sunday December 8 the following schools were listed on local authority websites as shut on Monday December 9, with the storm as the reason.
Here are the schools in Wales so far which have announced they are closed on Monday. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire Council said on its website the following primaries would be closed to pupils for health and safety reasons after power cuts:
- Llanpumsaint, Carmarthen
- Cwrt-Henri, Carmarthen
- Meidrim, Carmarthen
- Talley, Llandeilo
Neath Port Talbot
- Maesmarchog Community Primary - no electricity or heating
- Tonnau Primary - no electricity or heating
Powys
- Crossgate Primary - full or partial closure due to "operational difficulties"
- Llanelwedd Primary full or partial closure due to "operational difficulties"
- Rhayader Church in Wales Primary - utilities failure
- Ysgol Maesydderwen- "operational difficulties"
Ysgol Maesydderwen in Ystradgynlais said in a statement on its Facebook page: "Due to health and safety issues resulting from the storm this weekend the headteacher has made the difficult decision to close the school to all learners for Monday December 9, 2024. In its place online learning will take place - learners will receive links from the class teachers via Google Classroom."
On Saturday the school posted to say a tree had fallen onto the public footpath next to the school and broken electrical cable which was in contact with the school's perimeter fence. On Sunday morning it said: "National Grid have attended the scene and confirmed that the fence is not live.
"Repairs are yet to be completed but they estimate that power should be restored by 6pm today. More trees have fallen and are blocking the path and winds are still high. We therefore still advise members of the public to stay away from the area until the trees have been cleared and the winds die down."
The school said it "currently planned" to re-open the school on Tuesday December 10. Updates will be provided on Monday.
Flintshire
- Hawarden High School in Flintshire will be shut tomorrow for "public safety" reasons after being damaged in Storm Darragh. A notice on Flintshire Council website says the school will be shut on Monday December 9
New Quay
Storm Darragh ripped the roof off a nursery, leaving young children without anywhere to meet. The roof of the cylch meithrin Cei Newydd was completely destroyed in the high winds, leaving children, families and staff "heartbroken".
Cylch leader Holly Beauchamp said: "Devastated to announce that the roof of our beloved Cylch Meithrin has been taken in this storm." She asked parents to "bear with us" while the nursery is shut. Parent Brett Stones, whose son Remy, three, attends the Meithrin, has set up a fund raiser to repair the roof which has had more than £3,800 donated since launching on Saturday and you can read more about that here.
Families are advised to check with their school or local education authority if they think their child's school may be shut.
