Schoolchildren banned from viewing solar eclipse over health and safety fears

A primary school in Cardiff has said it will not allow pupils to watch the solar eclipse from outside on Friday 20 March on health and safety grounds.

Whitchurch Primary School confirmed that the children have been banned from watching the spectacle when it takes place at 8.45am next week.

Instead, the school in Erw Las, will show the eclipse on a live feed inside, WalesOnline reports.

Cardiff Council reportedly sent an email to schools advising them how the rare phenomenon can be watched safely.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are not telling schools they should not allow children out. We have left that decision to the schools."

The Royal Astronomical Society states that the "sun is so bright that just looking at it can blind you, so you'll need to prepare beforehand".

Meanwhile, an astronomer in Northampton is inviting people to witness the event at Delapre Abbey, where he will be providing free solar glasses.

What is a solar eclipse?

According to The Weather Network, it is 'when the Moon directly passes between the Earth and Sun, creating a shadow on the Earth'.

The eclipse is seen by us on Earth when the Sun is gradually obscured by the Moon. Sometimes the Moon is too small to entirely cover the Sun but on 20th March, it will be particularly close and will appear to be big enough to completely cover the Sun.