Five Powys schools announce closures due to Storm Goretti

The Met Office is warning as much as a foot of snow is expected in some areas of Powys, with an amber warning in force this evening (January 8).

An amber warning for Powys comes into force fully at 8pm this evening and will be in force until 9am tomorrow.

This afternoon, Forden Church in Wales School, near Welshpool, Llanidloes High School and Ysgol Calon Cymru all announced that they will be closed entirely in the aftermath of Storm Goretti on Friday.

Gwernyfed High School and Brecon's Ysgol Penmaes followed suit.

Jeremy Brignell-Thorp, who is the Powys county councillor for Forden and Montgomery, posted about the village primary school’s closure on his Facebook page at around 2.30pm.

“Following the notification of the amber weather warning for snow overnight and the potential for severe disruption to local travel, it has been decided that the safest decision is to close school tomorrow,” he said.

“This decision has been made by myself and the chair of governors. Although the snow has not yet started, we wish to give you as much notice as possible.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly and there are a number of factors that have led to this.

“The probability of snow continuing to fall throughout the night; difficulties in making the school site safe by 9am; staff not living locally and having to travel some distances on untreated roads;

the probability of there being no school lunches.”

Just before 3.30pm, Llanidloes High School became the second school in Powys to announce it will be closed on Friday.

“Llanidloes High School will be closed tomorrow (9th January),” read a post on the school’s Facebook page.

“Please see the below letter which has been emailed to parents and carers to confirm arrangements.

“Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and understanding.”

In the letter the school said the decision had been taken after Powys County Council informed it that no school transport will be running on Friday.

Ysgol Calon Cymru, which has campuses in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells, announced on Facebook: “Due to the weather warning currently in place for Storm Goretti, and following discussion with the chair of governors, Ysgol Calon Cymru will be closed to learners tomorrow.

“The forecast indicates heavy snowfall and rain across parts of the county, and there will be no school transport operating tomorrow.

“This decision has been taken in the interests of learner and staff safety.

“Learners will be provided with appropriate work to complete at home to ensure continuity of learning.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any further updates as needed. Thank you, as always, for your understanding and support.”

You can keep up to date with all the latest on school closures on the local authority’s website, at https://shorturl.at/de9xd.