School closures Yorkshire: Schools in Wakefield, Kirklees, Sheffield, Rotherham and Halifax close as heavy snow set to hit Yorkshire

Schools in Yorkshire have pre-emptively closed due to fears around heavy snow which is forecast to hit Yorkshire today (Feb 8).

A number of schools have closed due to ‘adverse weather’ which has been forecasted by the Met Office. Amber weather warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and North Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

The Met Office said an amber warning means travel delays on roads are likely; public transport vehicles and cars could be stranded; power cuts are possible; rail and air travel delays are likely, and rural communities stand a “good chance” of being cut off temporarily.

In Wakefield, Normanton Newlands Primary School and Highfield School have been closed. Both expect to be open on Friday (Feb 9). Highfield School is closed as all students are transported to school, meaning “the journey home will be hazardous regardless of how much (snow) will settle.”

Three schools in the Kirklees area have closed due to the amber weather warning; Castle Hill School, Southgate School and Woodley School and College. All three provide special educational need provision to children.

In Halifax, The Crossley Heath School closed at noon, while St Augustine’s Primary School, Savile Park Primary School, All Saints Primary School, Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College, Holy Trinity Primary School, and Calderdale College are all closed. Withinfields Primary School, in Southowram, also closed for the whole day.

SEND Schools across the Calderdale borough have also made the decision to close today.

In Sheffield, Rowan School opened to pupils at 10.30am today but has now decided to close to pupils at 1pm. Seven Hills School's 'Bridge and Peaks campus' opened to students at 10.30am today too, instead of its normal time. It advised parents last night. Bents Green School's Ringinglow, Gleadless and Westfield Hub also opened to students at 10.30am.

Pupils at Tapton School were sent home at noon, as has High Storrs School. St Joseph's Primary School in Handsworth is closing at 1pm, and Shooters Grove will close at 1.30pm. Both King Edward VII sites have closed due to the weather.

In Rotherham, Wickersley Comprehensive and Wickersley Northfields both closed at 1pm.

Met Office chief meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: “Make sure you’re staying tuned to the forecast and the Met Office warning page for any updates that we may issue. Before that, make sure that for your journey times you plan longer, especially in the snow.

“Be sure to check your general car situation – if you have to travel check your tyres, the oil and your screen wash, and take longer on your journey time as well.”

Chris Wood, from the AA, said: “If you need to travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles, and try to use main roads where possible as these are more likely to have been gritted.

“Allow extra time as it’s likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge if driving an electric vehicle.

“The cold snap is likely to affect vehicle breakdown levels, with faults such as flat batteries and wiper faults.”