Bradford School Closures: Severe Icy Conditions Disrupt Education Across the District

Winter Weather Forces Multiple School Closures

Severe icy conditions across Bradford have led to the closure or delayed opening of numerous primary schools on Wednesday 7 January 2026, with hazardous weather making travel and access to school sites unsafe, prompting risk assessments and decisions to protect pupils, staff, and families. The disruption highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in maintaining safe operations during adverse weather conditions, affecting thousands of families across the district.

Which Schools Were Affected?

Several Bradford schools made the difficult decision to close their doors completely. Reevy Hill Primary School closed due to unsafe roads and paths leading into the school, whilst Clayton St John CofE Primary School closed after reports of people falling on icy paths. Keighley St Andrew’s CofE Primary School & Nursery closed due to unsafe access and multiple incidents of vehicles getting stuck and people falling, and Shipley CofE Primary School closed because of severe icy conditions on surrounding roads and pavements making travel unsafe.

Other schools implemented delayed opening times to allow for safer conditions. Beckfoot Phoenix opened from 9am with registers open until 10am to allow for a delayed start, whilst Haworth Primary School delayed opening until 10am due to treacherous conditions. Idle CofE Primary School delayed its start to 10am to allow re-gritting after heavy rainfall washed away earlier grit.

How Parents Can Stay Informed

For further information on school closures and updates, parents can consult official Bradford Council resources or contact their child’s school directly. Schools typically communicate closures through multiple channels, including text messages, emails, social media, and the Bradford Schools Online website, ensuring families receive timely information to make alternative childcare arrangements.

Looking Ahead

The incident underscores the importance of having robust communication systems in place during emergency situations. As winter weather continues to pose challenges, Bradford schools remain committed to prioritising the safety of pupils and staff whilst minimising disruption to education. Parents are advised to remain vigilant about weather conditions and regularly check official channels for updates on school operations during adverse weather periods.