Red heat warning sees ‘don’t travel’ plea with 800 schools in Wales shut

More than 840 schools across Wales are closed on Thursday as temperatures could soar as high as 36C in some places.

A red warning for extreme heat has been issued by the Met Office in parts of Wales and England.

It comes as rail passengers have been advised to travel only if “absolutely necessary” on Thursday and Friday.

Jake Kelly, from Network Rail, said the heat was putting a “significant strain” on the railways, but urged passengers to stay safe by planning ahead and staying hydrated.

The number of school closures in west and mid Wales continues to rise with Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys reporting a higher number of school closures on Thursday.

Four schools in Pembrokeshire have shut, while Swansea, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils have also seen an increase.

Mathew Evans, head teacher of Ysgol Glantaf and Bro Edern in Cardiff, called it a “momentous decision” to close but said the weather had provided a unique challenge for Wales.

“They’re small classrooms, windows of limited opening and when you add 30 pupils they overheat very, very quickly,” he added.

He also highlighted the difficulties faced by kitchen staff who are working in “stifling” temperatures to feed the pupils.

Evans said it was “difficult” to look at long-term solutions to the problem without an “incredible” bill.

He added: “This weather creates a problem for the whole school. It’s a problem for buildings like Bro Edern and Glantaf, which are 70s-build, concrete clad, and have very narrow corridors.”