: Schools

Hi Bulb Buddies – Happy 2026!

Well done for continuing to log your data last month before your break, it has been great to read your comments and observations about what kind of weather you had coming into December. I have also read lots of comments logging that you are starting to see your bulbs growing – amazing!

Overall December was wet and windy, but mostly mild for usual UK weather, with temperatures getting colder at the end of the month. 

We had Storm Bram passing closely around the 8^th of December, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to northern Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Wales. This resulted in flooding, power outage and road closures in many areas, as reported on by the Met Office.

Once Storm Bram had passed, the weather began to change for the last 10 or so days of December, when it became dryer, but colder.

The colder temperatures have carried on into 2026, with some snow and ice warnings, and some school closures! I am interested to read your comments on these colder temperatures as January continues.

Let’s look at some of your comments from last month!

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Temperature and Weather observations:

Henllys Church in Wales School:

This week was a rainy and cold week

Irvinestown Primary School:

We had so much heavy rain on Friday that we didn’t get outside to play and we were very sad

Ysgol Pentreuchaf:

Mae wedi bwrw glaw mawr yma wythnos yma ond tydi hi ddim yn oer yma.

Professor Plant:

Well done for adding these details to your data – even when you weren’t able to go outside to play! It is important to notice the changes in weather and temperature, and to consider how this might affect your bulbs. The rain and mild weather might mean that the bulbs could flower a bit earlier than expected!

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Plant Growth!

Gavinburn Primary School:

We have attached a photo of our bulbs which are beginning to peek through the soil. We've seen lots of roots underneath too!

Cornist Park C.P:

It has been very cold this week. We had lots of rain in the middle of the week. We are beginning to get very excited because our first spring bulbs have started to come through the soil.

Mountain Lane School:

Green growth noticed in our bulb planters.

Pil Primary School:

-It has been cold this week. Our spring bulbs are shotting up.

-It has been raining a lot this week. We like checking the rainfall and temperature.

Llanmartin Primary School:

Our bulbs are starting to grow, approximately 1.5cm of growth.

Professor Plant:

Wow! How exciting that you are reporting seeing your bulbs grow! Well done for logging this and keeping watch over your plants. Over the next couple of months, you may be able to start logging your flowering data, if you notice any flowers opening!

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How is the project going?

Pinehurst Primary School:

We love going and checking our data every day.

Professor Plant:

I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying collecting data! Your observations are very valuable, so keep up the brilliant work. Great job!

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I have loved reading through your data and observations over December. Keep up the amazing work Bulb Buddies, I look forward to seeing what happens next over January!

Professor Plant

Hi Bulb Buddies,

I would like to say a huge thank you to all schools who have been uploading their weather data to the website so far! There has been very mixed weather this November, so it is interesting to see what you have all logged.

The MET Office has noted that November 2025 has brought very variable weather across the UK, with higher-than-average rainfall. This month the UK rainfall was 31% above average for November, making it the wettest month of 2025 so far!

This November Storm Claudia brought heavy rainfall, especially to England and Wales, with the MET Office reporting that the Midlands, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire saw more than double their average November rainfall. This rainfall resulted in flooding and disruption in some areas, which is reflected in your comments!

The temperature this November was also varied, where the month began warmer than usual but very quickly dropped in temperature during the second half of the month. Many schools have mentioned this change in their comments, with some seeing frost and short bursts of snow!

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Many Bulb Buddies have made some great weather observations:

Church Cowley St James CE Primary

Bitter cold week but glorious sunshine on Friday.

Church Cowley St James CE Primary

14/11/25 - Storm Claudia yn cychwyn

Cornist Park C.P

The start of the week began really mild. As the week has gone on the rain has become more persistent resulting in 12mm of rainfall while we were in school on Friday.

Mary Immaculate R.C. School

On Tuesday 4th November we had really heavy rain. Resulting in our playground flooding and lots of children and staff struggling to get home after school One of our teachers in Tenby had no water in her house for the evening.

Pil Primary School

There has been a lot of rain this week.

Professor Plant:

It is great to see so much detail in your comments, noting how much the weather has changed in just one week. The rainfall over November has been great for helping your bulbs grow!

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You have also been commenting on changes in the temperature:

Pil Primary School

It has been very cold this week, and we have had hardly any rainfall.

St John's Primary School

Light snow and frost on Wednesday Thursday

Irvinestown Primary School

We had lots of ice this week and it was very cold There was even a little bit of snow

Gavinburn Primary School

Very cold week

St Peter's CE Primary School

A flurry of snow fell for 10 minutes today

Ysgol Pentreuchaf

Y tywydd wedi oeri lot wythnos yma.

Professor Plant:

We have even had some Bulb Buddies reporting on some plant growth already:

Rhayader Primary

Our mystery bulbs have started growing, as have some of our other pots.

St Patrick's RC Primary - Newport

The temperature dropped immensely over the weekend. We also have begun to see early growth in our crocus plants.

Professor Plant:

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I have loved reading through your comments and observations and seeing all of your data being uploaded. Keep up the amazing work Bulb Buddies, and I look forward to seeing what happens next over December!

Professor Plant

Hello Bulb Buddies!

Climate Cymru’s Great Big Green Week has been running since 7th June, with people across Wales (and the UK!) coming together to help protect our planet. There are fun activities, cool events, and lots of ways for you and your school to get involved.  

What is The Great Big Green Week?

The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. All sorts of people are making swaps and taking small steps that make a difference to the planet. From planting flowers to picking up litter, every action counts! 

Who are Climate Cymru?

Climate Cymru is a movement made up of hundreds of organisations and thousands of people from all across Wales, working together to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. By bringing together voices from every part of Welsh society (schools, businesses, community groups, and more) Climate Cymru makes sure that everyone is heard and that leaders take meaningful action for a greener, fairer future for Wales and the planet. 

What is the Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation?

The Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation engages thousands of children from across the UK every year in a scientific study around the effects of climate change on the flowering dates of Spring Bulbs. Pupils adopt, care for and study their plants. They take weather readings every day that they are in school between November and March and share their findings to the Amgueddfa Cymru website. Our reports from last year’s investigation can be found here, along with many other educational resources. The bilingual reports from this year will be published in early July. 

If you’ve participated in this year’s project by planting and growing spring bulbs, then you’re already a climate champion! If you’re looking for a Great Big Green Week Action that your school could take, applications for schools in Wales are open, and you can apply here! 2025-2026 will be the 20^th anniversary year of this fantastic project!

Who are The Edina Trust?

The Edina Trust are partners and funders of Amgueddfa Cymru’s Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation. They are a charity that helps primary schools with science by offering non-competitive grants for exciting projects like gardening, science resources, and outdoor learning. This year, schools in Denbighshire, Newport, and Torfaen can apply for Edina Trust grants, so if your school is in one of these areas, you’re guaranteed to get funding to help develop your science adventures! Find out more here!

Try the Climate Quiz by Amgueddfa Cymru!

To celebrate The Great Big Green Week, Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) has created a special Climate Quiz just for you. It’s part of the Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation, and it’s a fun way to test your knowledge about the climate and how we can all help protect nature.

• What's the difference between weather and climate?
• How much of the UK's total energy comes from renewable sources?
• Why are insects important for the climate?
• What actions could you take to help?

Find out by taking the quiz with your classmates or family. You might be surprised at what you learn!

Let’s Be Planet Protectors!

Remember, even small changes can make a big difference. By joining in with The Great Big Green Week and the Climate Quiz, you’re helping to raise awareness of how we can all look after the Earth for animals, plants, and people everywhere.

Share what you’ve learnt:

Tell your teacher about The Great Big Green Week and The Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation. There are loads of great resources that can be used in class. 

Spring Bulbs for Schools

The Edina Trust

Climate Cymru

Amgueddfa Cymru School Learning

Amgueddfa Cymru Family Learning

Amgueddfa Cymru Adult Learning

Have a Great Green Week Bulb Buddies!  

Professor Plant

As part of Kids in Museums Takeover Day Ysgol Penboyr pupils enjoyed creative Christmas decoration workshops.

Craftsperson, Non Mitchell, taught pupils how to wet felt Christmas baubles and make Christmas God’s Eyes.

Ellie Smallcombe facilitated Christmas decoration weaving workshops, a good time was had by all!

Thank you to all the schools who are diligently taking their weather readings, even in the rain and snow! 

Weather records for this term finish on 20 December. Please upload all readings taken to date by then. Remember to enter 'no record' for dates that you weren't in school and to add your observations in the comment section. 

Have a fantastic break Bulb Buddies. I'll see you in 2025!

Your Comments:

Scarva Primary School: There was a lot of rainfall over the weekend with Storm Darragh.
Professor Plant: Hello Scarva Primary! Storm Darragh certainly brought plenty of rain. Your bulbs will love the extra water! Let’s hope for some sunshine soon to balance it out. Keep up the great observations.

Pil Primary School: It is still cold outside and we have had a lot of rain this week.
Professor Plant:  Thank you for the weather observations Pil Primary.

Gavinburn Primary School: There was a lot more rain this week.
Professor Plant: Hi Gavinburn Primary, thank you for the update. Keep up the great work.

Ysgol Tycroes: We had a lot of rain. Our plants have started to grow shoots.
Professor Plant: Hello Ysgol Tycroes. Shoots already, that’s wonderful news! Your bulbs are making great progress thanks to all the rain. Keep watching them closely.

Meldrum Primary School: Decent rainfall for this week, temperature seems good.
Professor Plant: Hi Meldrum Primary, it sounds like your bulbs are enjoying a balanced week of rainfall and warmth. Keep an eye out for shoots—they might appear soon!

St Mary’s Primary School: Storm Darragh came on Friday.
Professor Plant: Hello St Mary’s Primary, thank you for updating us. 

Bwlchgwyn Primary School: We have got two plant pots with shoots. We think that having a blanket of snow on them may have fooled them into thinking it was a bit warmer than it was.
Professor Plant: Hello Bwlchgwyn Primary! It’s exciting that you have two pots with shoots already. Keep monitoring their progress—they’re off to a great start!

Rhayader Primary: Our plants have started growing - about 5.
Professor Plant: Hi Rhayader Primary. Five plants already, that’s fantastic news! Your bulbs are thriving—keep taking care of them and tracking their growth. Well done!

Cornist Park C.P: Today it is cold and dark with rain clouds all day.
Professor Plant: Hello Cornist Park. A cold and rainy day might not feel cheerful, but your bulbs are loving the extra water. Keep checking—they’re sure to grow more soon!

Ysgol Porth Y Felin: The bulbs have got bigger.
Professor Plant: Hi Ysgol Porth Y Felin. How exciting to hear your bulbs are growing bigger! Keep up the great work!

Doonfoot Primary School: Lots of rain and a storm.
Professor Plant: Hello Doonfoot Primary. Thank you for your update, keep up the great work.  

Stanford in the Vale Primary: Quite a rainy week. Unfortunately, no snow. We wish you all a merry Christmas.
Professor Plant: Hi Stanford in the Vale Primary! Rain is great for your bulbs, even if snow would have been more fun for you! Thank you for the Christmas wishes—I wish you all a merry Christmas too!

Our Lady’s RC Primary: I did this alone :)
Professor Plant: Hello! Doing this alone is impressive—well done! Your observations are very valuable, so keep up the brilliant work. Great job!

Meldrum Primary School: Rainfall a bit low after Monday, temperature seems a bit all over the place right now.
Professor Plant: Hi Meldrum Primary. It's great that you are noticing differences in your daily and weekly weather readings. I look forward to your next observations. 

Pil Primary School: There was so much rain when we checked on Monday and the weather is chilly. Our spring bulbs have started to shoot up.
Professor Plant: Hello Pil Primary! Shoots appearing already? That’s wonderful! The rainy weather is helping your bulbs to grow. Keep watching closely—great job!

Pil Primary School: It was very cold this week.
Professor Plant: Hi Pil Primary. The cold might slow us down, but your bulbs are tough. Keep up the excellent work!

Pil Primary School: There was hardly any rain to measure this week.
Professor Plant: Hello again, Pil Primary! Even with less rain, your bulbs should still have enough moisture from earlier weeks. Keep tracking the weather and checking for growth—you’re doing brilliantly!