Many Schools across Carmarthenshire, which were due to reopen today (Monday, 5 January) following the Christmas and New Year holidays, remained closed for many pupils after snow and icy conditions made travel unsafe.

Carmarthenshire County Council confirmed that dozens of primary and secondary schools did not open as planned, citing hazardous road conditions, frozen school grounds and difficulties for staff accessing sites, following overnight snowfall and a Met Office weather warning for snow and ice.

While safety was the primary concern, the closures meant that, much to the delight of many children, the school holidays were unexpectedly extended by one more day. 

Primary Schools Affected

The following primary schools were closed explicitly due to weather-related conditions:

Ammanford Nursery; Beca Primary (Efailwen); Blaenau Primary; Bro Banw Primary; Bro Brynach Primary; Bryn Primary; Bryn Teg Primary; Carreg Hirfaen Primary; Cross Hands Primary; Drefach Primary; Five Roads Primary; Hafodwenog Primary (Trelech); Laugharne Primary; Llandybie Primary; Llanedi Primary; Llangadog Primary; Llangunnor Primary; Llanllwni Primary; Llanmiloe Primary; Parc y Tywyn Primary (Burry Port); Parcyrhun Primary; Pembrey Primary; Penboyr Primary; Rhydaman Primary; Rhys Prichard Primary (Llandovery); Teilo Sant Primary (Llandeilo); Ty Croes Primary (Tycroes); Y Dderwen Primary (Carmarthen); Y Ddwylan Primary (Newcastle Emlyn); Y Felin Primary (Felinfoel); and Y Fro Primary (Llangyndeyrn).

Secondary Schools Closed

Several secondary schools were also affected:

• Bro Myrddin Comprehensive, Carmarthen

• Dyffryn Aman, Ammanford

• Dyffryn Taf, Whitland

Each was closed due to unsafe travel conditions and icy school sites.

Safety First, but Smiles All Round

Council officials stressed that decisions were taken in the interests of pupil and staff safety, particularly in rural areas where untreated roads and steep approaches posed a higher risk.

For many pupils, however, the news was met with enthusiasm. After weeks of festive downtime, the return to classrooms was delayed just long enough for school bags to remain unopened and alarm clocks to enjoy one final morning of silence. Instead, many children spent today building snowmen, sparring in snowball fights and sledging down fields and local parks.

Looking Ahead

Schools are expected to reopen once conditions improve, with parents advised to monitor individual school communications and the council’s closure portal for updates.

Until then, many pupils will no doubt be hoping that the icy spell lingers, long enough to justify one more “snow day”, even if the snow itself is already melting.