school closures

maud48

I've been thinking about school closures and how they affect parents with disabilites and carers of children with special needs.
In our case we get by with one to one help at school, after school clubs and holiday clubs and when the schools close the whole system falls apart.
I do understand all the problems with snow and ice but our school here by the coast in Wales has been closed for a week and we haven't had any snow. Other schools in more rural areas nearby where the snow has been bad are open.
My other grandson's school in Yorkshire has been open all week although they have about a foot of snow
I've just read on the BBC website that some schools aren't opening because if all the pupils can't get there the absenteeism figures will affect the Ofsted reports.
What do others think and how has it affected you?
maud

frogmorton

Oh Maud
I am so with you. It's awful isnt it? Remember we used to go in and spend the day in the hall if not enough teachers got in?? We played board games etc - and then a lot of Mums were at home - now most families there may well not be anyone at home!
Parents of children who have disabilities are often very badly hit as it is also a form of respite I know
My daughter's primary head used to clear a path himself every day in the snow (the kids next door still go there and haven't missed a day this week ) HE should get an ofstead commendation! So there!!
I hope you have been ok and your Grandson has not been too bored this week??
Love
Toni xx

ninakang

Our girls' school was closed on Wednesday because there was practically a blizzard that morning but has been open every other day this week.

I agree, they should keep the school's open wherever possible - I don't remember having a single day off school so I don't see why my children should get off lightly!

Nx

maud48

We're managing quite well. Fortunately it's a quiet time for my OH at work so he can help out. I'm the one that's bored, got Thomas the Tank engine coming out of my ears! I'm sure there are a lot of people worse off than us.
Just been out into town and apparently a lot of people are complaining as all the people with businesses in town are having no problems getting in.
Rumours are the schools will also be closed next week so we'll see,
maud

frogmorton

You cannot be serious Maud!!
Well Ofsted wont be too impressed with that surelY?
Thomas the tank eh?? Was the teletubbies and the tweenies foir me! I really missed them when they went to school though.
You take care
Love
Toni x

valval

why do schools not employ staff who live near then a lot of these problems would not happen there is no excuse for staying home when there hardly and snow it just teaching children at the first sighn of trouble give in not what we should be teaching them

Wonkylegs

speaking as a former infant teacher who lived 17 miles away from school I can honestly say that I only ever missed ONE day in 14 years due to snow, and that was because the heating failed and the head had no choice but to close the school. Even then I contacted my local school to offer myself as additional staff (as we were all supposed to do if not able to get to our own school) but they didn't want me and seemed shocked that i'd even tried them :shock: :roll:

In one school I worked in, all the staff apart from the caretaker and the non-teaching assistant travelled for miles over countryside lanes to get to work, although the children were all very local. We NEVER failed to open, even when every other school in the area closed due to bad weather - and their teachers used to live closer than we did :shock: :shock: :shock:

It did mean getting up at 5.30 some days to shovel snow and set off 2 hours early in order to get there in time, but we did it because the children and parents were relying on us.

The only closures I can understand at the moment are where the schools are predominantly for children who are bussed in from remote areas and the transport can't get them to their school - otherwise I'm with all you parents out there who have to get to work AND find childcare at the last minute.

sorry - I think I got on my high horse somewhere there

:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: will try not to do that again

tkachev

Hi Maud,
Daniel returned Monday,school closed Wednesday due to transport cancelled.On Thursday the Hillingdon website said school cancelled but it wasnt and bus turned up to collect Daniel but we didnt have him ready so stayed home.
He returned Friday.We had to cancel his carer trip to snakes and Ladders and have had him home.Also building wardrobes and had the fire on so had a lot of supervision to do.My legs were killing me and didnt sleep very well due to the pain.
Other son has not had any school cancelled but Lucy school up the road was cancelled one day only.
Best wishes
Elizabeth

lucymum

Well my kids school was shut fr only one day, although they missed 2 because I cold not get he car off my estate so they did not go in, as due to my disability and my eldists JIA there is no way we can walk in!!
Our schools only shut on friday, whereas many of the other schools n our area, co.durham in the north east englnd, were shut. Over 300 in the area!!!!!

As we are quite rural I think all the teachers were amazing getting in, and as far as I know the reason the school shut on Friday was due to plummbing problems due to pipes re-freezing every few hours.

tkachev

Hi Maud,
How is your grandchild dealing with the snow?Daniel loves it but keeps sneaking out into the garden,of course not adequately dressed.I am all alone at the moment,OH has decided to help other people rather than his family,as usual.I think we bore him!So Dan went outside with just wellies, joggers and a long-sleeved T-shirt,no socks,,no coat,gloves,hat or scarf.I have posted before about him going outside barefoot in the snow!
Take care,hope you are coping okay.
Elizabeth