Schools in Preston, Chorley, East Lancs and Wyre shut due to freezing temperatures

Some principals have made the decision not to open this morning due to heating issues and icy car parks, as the Met Office expects local temperatures to stay between 0° and -1° for most of the day.

It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extended its “Level 3 Cold Weather Alert” until Friday (December 16).

Ashton Community Science College – The high school near Blackpool Road was forced to close after its boiler failed and the school was left without heating. Schools are closed for the remainder of the day.

Our Lady and St Edwards Catholic Primary School, Fulwood – The school in Lightfoot Lane, off the A6, was also left without heating due to problems with its boiler.

The school said: “We had problems with our boilers last week and Ash Integrated Services came in to fix them. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the school this morning, we again had no heating. It was decided to close the school.”

Holy Cross Catholic High School – The school in Myles Standish Way – which sits on top of a hill – said it was closed because staff and school buses could not enter the site.

It said: “After snowfall over the weekend and then freezing conditions, staff were unable to drive their cars onto the campus and school buses could not have dropped students off.”

Two schools in Wyre and one school in Pendle also had to close today due to freezing temperatures.

Preesall Fleetwoods Charity Church of England Primary School – The school said it remains closed due to “bad weather and Covid”.

Stalmine Elementary School – The Headmaster said: “The driveway, the only entrance into the school building, is in a very icy condition this morning with large patches of black ice. The staff car park is also a large piece of slippery ice.

“So this morning, in consultation with our Chairman of the Governors, we closed the school for today to review in the morning. The safety of our students, their families and our staff is our top priority.”

Nelson St Philip’s Church of England Primary School – The school’s boiler has failed, leaving classrooms and staff rooms without heating.

The school initially sent text messages to parents telling them that the school’s opening would be delayed until the afternoon. But after staff arrived this morning, the decision was made to close the school for the day.

The principal said: “Due to the -4 degree temperature, all staff were sent home as it was too cold to work. Students should access the work through the website. The school is awaiting the arrival of an engineer – hopefully the school can reopen tomorrow (Tuesday 13 December).