school closed for no apparent reason

[Ferncottage]

We have had some snow here in NW Essex but not too bad and school has been open all week, although we were encouraged to take them home early on Wednesday. Today school is closed and I have no idea why - no more snow overnight. Yes it froze overnight but it has done all week. I think the headmistress couldn't be bothered.... Anyone who works in a school suggest why? any other schools done this? The reason on the website was `the weather'. If not open on Monday I am taking my children away somewhere for the week. They are confused and bored - Christmas holidays over and need to go back. Don't schools have a commitment to open? (state primary)

[TequilaMockinBird]

Maybe the teachers couldn't get in? Or the roads around the school/walkways in the school grounds were too icy?

DD's school was closed because of Health and Safety reasons.

[cece]

Maybe there was a problem with the heating or the school kitchens or the staff couldn't get in or the ice on the paths were to slippy? A lot of reasons it could be closed...

[MerlinsBeard]

could be ANYTHING

teachers unable to get in
inefficient boiler
a leak which has turned to ice
school in a treacherous place (ice wise i mean not balancing on top of a cliff!)
advised by local council not to open

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

HT may be acting on instructions from Board of Governors or LEA, there may be heating or H and S issues, staff may not be able to get to the premises.

And you have no idea why school is shut - are you thick?

[skidoodle]

You think a school didn't open because a headteacher couldn't be bothered?

Really?

I find that totally implausible.

There again, despite the constant moaning you hear everywhere, I've rarely met a lazy teacher. They all seem to be super-committed to their jobs, so perhaps I'm just prejudiced.

[Ferncottage]

I should have said that my husband made it to London by 7.30 so would be surprised if teachers couldn't get in - we went to nearest town with no problem. if there is ice around why don't they just clear it? I would have liked more info from them

[Toffeepopple]

Around 50 schools in our borough were shut yesterday. Ours was not.

Apparently some were on slopes so icy paths were more hazardous, some ran out of grit, some had frozen pipes, some had broken boilers, etc. It could be a range of weather-related reasons.

FWIW, some parents have complained about the school being open. I don't get it, if you don't think it's safe, surely you just stay home? Poor Headteacher feels like she can't win.

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

[Ferncottage]

certainly not board of governors - my husband is a governor and he wasn't consulted - and I really think there is no need to be so rude - am reporting you

[MerlinsBeard]

So because your husband made it to London you think everyone should make it to their destinations?

[Cybils]

All our teachers (including moi, AND my kids) were at my school today.

The rest of the children were not. 'School closed' apparently.

Well if WE can make it in, why is everyone else allowed to whizz on their tin trays eating hot muffins?...oh sorry, thats another thread

[SoupDragon]

No, you're right, I'm sure it was because the head teacher couldn't be arsed to open the school.

[MerlinsBeard]

unfortunatly you can't censor your answers here FC

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

yikes

And I haven't even told you to fuck off

[Katisha]

I think (having had DS's school shut for three consecutive days now when other schools in the town managed to stay open, including the one next door) that the OP's school should give a reason for the decision other than just "the weather."

[MerlinsBeard]

How much detail do you want though?

BALD...not yet

[SoupDragon]

What, like "school is shut because the Head Teacher can't be arsed to open and would rather be whizzing down a hill on a tea tray and eating homebaked muffins".

[bibbitybobbitysantahat]

Its a reasonable question to ask given the circumstances. Why can't the school explain via email or text message or via website? I don't think its unreasonable for you to want to know the reason for the closure when its been open for the rest of the week.

Our school is closed today but has been open for the three days prior. The reason is that they have run out of grit to make the paths safe. Fair enough.

[Ferncottage]

I see why there are so many newspaper articles slagging off Mn - i'll be writing another one next week

[SoupDragon]

Oooooh, threats from a Journo. How lovely.

Grow up.

[Jux]

YABU and this has been done to death on other threads.

[MerlinsBeard]

Don't forget to link it

[FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010]

Of course it is because the HT couldn't be bothered?

[gerontius]

What, you're going to write an article about how not everybody on the Internet agrees with you?