Bee swarm closes Hove's Cardinal Newman school

The head teacher said a a number of staff and pupils suffered from bee allergies

A bee swarm has led one of Brighton and Hove's biggest secondary schools to start the summer holidays a day early.

Children at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove were due to attend for their last day of the summer term on Wednesday, but will now not return until the autumn.

Head teacher James Kilmartin said windows had to be kept shut to protect staff and pupils with bee allergies.

He said this led to excessive heat and a lack of ventilation.

On Monday, the UK had its hottest day since July 2006, with the warmest weather in the South East and heatwave alerts in place across the country.

Mr Kilmartin posted a statement on the school's website which said: "Due to a combination of excessive heat and a lack of ventilation, linked to a swarm of bees, I have made the decision to close the school to students tomorrow. Staff will report to school as normal for an inset day."

'Excessive temperatures'

The head teacher said the swarm of bees had gathered at the top of the Cashman building and staff were not able to open any of the windows in Cashman or St Mary's.

He said: "A number of our staff and students have serious allergies which can be triggered by bee stings.

"The excessive temperatures mean that effective teaching and learning is not possible.

"Having consulted the local authority I have, therefore, made the decision to close the school on Wednesday July 24. The school will reopen next term."

Brighton and Hove City Council has not commented.