Snow watch

[saundra]

2 young mums from round the corner are taking there little kids to school
pulling a sliegh
back at dinner and home again
the paths/roads are lethal dont know how they stand up

[miasmum]

The one that got me was a town school that said on the council website "the school will close at lunchtime, the children will have lunch and please collect at 1 after registration' in other words we don't want our attendance to look bad

The roads may be bad, but they are bad for NHS staff, shop staff, everyone, not just school staff. '

[JoM]

We had another walk over the common and got back at 9.30pm It was gorgeous over there and easily 8-10 inches deep in places. Joe took his sledge with him and was having a great time as he had the hills all to himself - and then John had a go and broke it

[Kaz]

The Outlet Centre here in Gloucester Quays closed at lunchtime yesterday, to let their staff get home safely. It's murder here, more so as we aren't used to it. This is the worst for over 20 years so I don't blame the schools TBH

No more snow fallen here but I think it has frozen overnight............

[saundra]

no more snow but birtterly cold stronge wind
duvet day i think

[Kaz]

Think you're right Saundra - stay warm and safe hun (((((x)))))

[miasmum]

Alright then let the schools close, but maintain a skeleton staff for those parents who can't collect their children. My surgery wouldn't close, it can't. I would be there until 5.30 regardless. Lots of places didn't close, what are those parents supposed to do? I will always come down on the side of working parents, because I remember how tough it is. I got 4 weeks holiday, Luke got 12 plus another week of training days, polling days figure in snow days and you might as well give up, sit at home and claim benefits

[Kaz]

It would be good if instead of making parents collect children early - disrupting a day at work for many - they could keep the children in the school hall with just a couple of volunteer staff or maybe even a couple of parents? They could watch DVDs perhaps. I do understand where you are coming from on this Shell xxxx

[lissie]

Still only had a smattering of snow here in Kent but it is very slippery
and bitterly cold
The sky looks full of snow so perhaps it is coming later.
Only just got up as i think i have another cold coming as i have been
coughing and sneezing for hours

Take care and keep warm.

lissie

[Workingman]

In many ways a school is in a pincer of H&S and the Law. Any risk assessment nowadays has to take in the wider problems of the journey to and from school, and staff to pupil ratios have to be maintained.

To my mind secondary schools do not have a leg to stand on, certainly with regards staff to pupil ratios. If the ratio falls below the legal requirement then some pupils could be sent home, starting with the oldest - 6th form, yr 11, yr 10 - till the level is reached. Why oldest first? It is simply because they are of an age when they are legally allowed to be home alone.

Primary schools are a different problem, they do not have that flexibility. As for volunteers or parents going in; I think that is a good idea, but not allowed - CRB checks and all that.

The thing that really bugs me is the inconsistency. One school will stay open where one down the road will close, or an LEA will make a blanket decision. I have seen it happen.

BTW it is bitterly cold here in Leeds, -2 with a sharp easterly wind. We have not had a positive temperature since last Sunday.