Schools across the UK will this morning carry out their own risk assessments and take local issues, such as access routes, into account when decising if it is safe to open following the snow
Snow has again fallen across parts of the UK this morning and ice remains a hazard for many forcing schools to close.
Up to 12cm of snow fell on Tuesday, with the heaviest deluges across the Midlands, and further wintry weather is forecast for parts of Scotland and Northeast of England today. Six separate weather warnings are in place today, the largest by area is for ice across the Midlands and Home Counties as temperatures stubbornly remain below freezing for many areas.
It means schools across the country have big decisions to make today – and risk assessments will have been carried out from the first light to decide whether it is safe for children and staff to be in. More than 200 schools were forced to close on Tuesday due to the weather.
Decisions will be made locally based on common sense and there are a large range of things that schools will consider, including if staffing levels can’t be met because transport issues are preventing teachers from getting to work. Other examples include safety conditions around the school, and temperatures in school buildings.
Often, schools are able to facilitate remote learning in these situations. This was introduced by necessity during the lockdowns imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is still regularly used by schools now.
But some may decide to cancel classes altogether – and it’ll give families a chance to enjoy the snow. Photographs on Tuesday showed children building snowmen and hurtling down hills on sledges, a rare sight in November in this country.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.
“The current focus for upcoming snow and ice risk is from later on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, with snow showers likely moving in off windward coasts in the north and east, as well as drifting into parts of Northern Ireland and Wales.
“In excess of 10cm of snow is possible over higher ground within the warning areas, with 1-2cm possibly settling at lower levels, which has the potential to lead to some travel disruption. Ice is an additional hazard and is likely to form quickly on untreated surfaces.”
The Mirror will continue to update this page accordingly when schools confirm their decisions. However, so far, the following schools have said they are closed today:
England
- Orion Academy, Oxford
- Beacon hill Academy, Dudley
- Dormston school, Dudley
- Jessons Primary, Dudley
- Bishop Milner, Dudley
- Alder Coppice Primary School, Dudley
- Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School, Madeley
- St Patricks Catholic Primary School, Madeley
- St Peters C of E Primary School, Madeley
Wales
- Brynhafren CP School, Powys
- Brynllywarch Hall School, Powys
- Buttington/Trewern CP School, Powys
- Forden C in W School, Powys
- Llanidloes CP School, Powys
- Llanidloes High School, Powys
- Newtown High School – John Beddoes Campus, Powys
- Newtown High School – Newtown Campus, Powys
- Welshpool High School, Powys
- Ysgol Bro Caereinion – Primary Campus, Powys
- Ysgol Bro Caereinion – Secondary Campus, Powys
- Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon, Powys
- Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng, Powys
- Ysgol Rhiw Bechan, Powys
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Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog, Denbighshire
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Ysgol Bro Famau Llanferres and Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, Denbighshire
Scotland
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Alford Academy
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Alford Primary School
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Auchterless School
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Crudie School
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Drumblade School
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Gordon Schools
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Kennethmont School
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Largue School
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Rhynie School
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Towie School
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Turriff Academy
