Me and my child both think that it is silly opening the school on friday. Its meant to snow and although the children may be able to get to school. if it snows throughout the day, transport home may be difficult. Which in my case, it will be. Re open Monday,

I think that you should close tomorrow aswell because many student are getting colds and also it would be nice to have a lay in as many of us are tired and grumpy so that means less work aswell.

from student

It all depends on whether it snows again, or whether the roads turn icy overnight, there’s not much point opening if it’s dangerous for people to travel to school, or if a lot of students or staff can’t get to school

As finding on Monday many teachers and students were absent due to fear of not being able to get home, I think it would be a safer option to re-open Monday when the snow is supposed to have cleared.

I feel that opening school tomorrow would cause unnecessary danger to students and parents travelling to school from further afield.

I will find it very difficult to get my child into school tomorrow, as if the weather stays like this and becomes icy then i will not be willing to drive in those weather conditions. Even if it is okay in the morning, it could again deteriorate throughout they day, in which you would find a lot of sixth formers just signing out.

If there is lots of snow or ice on the ground tomorrow morning, it may be unsafe to open the school.

It could be difficult if the buses dont come and the road to school where the buses do go in the morning are really bad when its just ice, not snow and ice. They’re not gritted either so it’s always a bit hazardous. Also, if the roads are still as bad as they were today, many teachers wont be able to get in either.

Well.. I think that if its safe for the buses to get in and out then it should be fine to open. But then yet again no one will want to come in really. Also the roads are all icy and the Gritters havent been out. who says it will not be done tomorrow. I know if the school is open tomorrow but the roads are icy i wont be attending college and many other students will not, that also includes students who live in the area.

The forecast for tomorrow looks terrible – just as bad today. It could be very dangerous indeed to get to school – especially as snow today will not melt, meaning more icy conditions for tomorrow.

Opening the school tomorrow is not a good idea as it is supposed to snow tomorrow anyway. If not, the melted ice from today would freeze and can cause serious health problems.
Some of the other students, and some of thier parents, also agree that the school would be better closed for tomorrow..

i think it would be good to reopen on monday as there is a lot more snow to come so the weather people say but then it is the weekend after tomorrow so it would be a good to have the day off.

I think if the snow is compleltely cleared by tomorrow it should be fine to open, but judging by the forecast it looks like it’s going to get worse. Even if a few teachers can’t make it in, it’s still a wasted day for those who have to have cover teachers.

First off all i would like to thank mr hitch for opening up this blogg for all to voice their opinion. Secondly close the school tomorrow

I think that it’s far too dangerous to travel tomorrow, 2 days off of school isn’t going to kill the students.

I know from experience that many head teachers make the decision to open or close at 7 o’clock in the morning. However, having looked at the BBC weather forcast for Cambridge it shows heavy snow due around school opening time. Therefore i feel that you should NOT open tomorrow , you may be able to get into school however getting children home may be a problem .
And thanks for closing today !! We all had great fun !!

i think that the college should not open tomorrow as there will still be some snow left and if it freezes tonight then it will be really slippy and icy for people that walk and cycle and they might not be able to get to school. plus the forcast says more snow tomorrow and next monday.

I think that the school should be closed tomorow because theres no point in opening it for just one day and plus people like me cant get to school when the weather is bad and the forcast says its gunna snow and the temperature is gunna be the worst than tdy

i am a student in the 6th form, and if it is icey and/or snowy in the morning, i will not be going into college,as i live in wisbech, and the roads i use to get there are very dangerous as it is, let alone with ice / snow on the roads.
I think a lot of people will share my veiws, and it is probably in everyones best interests to close the college until monday.

From a selfish point of view, I can’t be bothered getting uniforms ready for just one day … make it a long weekend!

I don’t think many pupils will be motivated to work tomorrow if there is snow outside, and they know that other children have the day off. Also, think of all the mess the poor caretakers will have to sort out, with soaked carpets etc.

We believe that the college should not open for one more day, as the snow has turned into ice and the forecast shows heavy snowfall is due in the early morning. This would be difficult for students to travel and even harder to get home. With the slushy conditions, i highly doubt students will come in tomorrow..even if school is open. But the question is do you ‘the teachers’ want to come in tomorrow?

The weather forcast looks ok – sleet rather than snow but they did not predict today’s heavy snow. What does the LEA say? What are other schools doing? What is the school site like – is that dangerous? I am sure I could get in (fingers crossed) provided the weather does not take a turn for the worse but will the buses run? Tough call really you are dammed if you do and you are dammed if you don’t. Sorry not very helpful .

Make them go does them good…..

PS I had a lovely time today – we all need at least one snow day a year.

As a parent, i think it would be silly to expect the children to come back to school for one day as it is going to be very icy and dangerous. I think you should also consider the staff that have to travel into school. Would it be possible to inform people before tomorow morning.

School shouldnt be open tomoz as it would be very unsafe walking in the ice and snow. Wait till it clears and re open monday . lol We love Cake

Dont open tomoro, then i can play cod5 all day.
Na if its anything loike today then i wont be able to ge in, i have a trek across a field.
Also, turning everything back on for one day, we’re in the middle of a recession, what would be the point ?

It doesn’t look like the weather is going to improve and any slushy snow is going to freeze. The pavements in town are awful and the kids are only going to be wet and soggy all day if they go to school. Chances are half of them won’t bother to come just for a Friday anyway. Best to make the decision now to close for Friday.

I think that the school should reamain closed tomorrow, many of the roads leading to the school are dangerous and slippy, the lanes and sideroads that havent been gritted that many people have to take to reach the collage may be even more dangerous, i also suppose the children would get cold to and from school and wouldnt be able to concentrate because of all the snow outside.

This morning was not good for my journey and I am wondering what the state of the roads will be if it freezes over night.

no dont open its silly just for one day

Thanks for closing today, had a great day.
and looking at the forecast its meant to get even worse, starting at about 6 or 7, hard to judge, but i would’nt take the risk.

It’s supposed to freeze tonight which means that because the snow started melting – there will be ice and black ice on the roads making driving conditions treacherous. It would be in everyone’s best interests to close the school tomorrow regardless of snow, because whilst the main roads may be safe, most side roads may not get gritted.
Plus snow in school equals snowball fights and possible health and safety hazards!

As a parent , from a health and safety point of view – if its safe for pupils and teachers to travel to school, open, if not dont!. You will always get people who disagree with your decision depending on what suits there situation. My family had great fun today in the snow, and looking at all the children in the park today, they had great fun aswell.

i think that they shouldnt open the school tomorrow,as the forecast is supposed to be snow again,and people like me that dont live in march,its harder for us because the roads will be terrible to travel in.

if the weather is forecast like today then i think its safer for people not to travel in and would give cleaning staff a chance for monday instead of everything and everyone being wet through but either way notice should be given early .

i dont think you should re-open the school as it will probably be icey tomorrow and it will to dangerous. And it will be silly to go back to school for one more day!

i believe that the college should be closed tomorrow as it is pointless, its one more day and its meant to snow… and as the snow is still about from today it wil be thick tomorrow or be slushy tomorrow an ver unssafe for pupils and accidents can be easily caused. It is all very cold and may bugs are going round so would be better to help stop this. and Travel to and from school wont be reliable and could leave some students unable to get to and from school.

this link will give the most reliable weather reports.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/ee_forecast_warnings.html

i dont think school should be open, because its dangerous for the people to get to school from people who live out of march and even the people who live in march. Not alot of pupils turn up at school on snow days either, so with not alot of people in the classroom, you end up playing games, so personally i dont think there is any point. i also find it uncomfortable to sit in the classroom with wet trousers and shoes and i think it effects my mood to the work.

i dont think we should go to school because it will be icy and talks of more snow. Also i had a great day today!!!!

The roads where i live had not been gritted today. It would not be possible for buses to get down there if it stays like it was today or if it freezes over night. The forecast is also for more snow tonight.

I think it would be pointless opening tomorrow especially if the weather is like this again. If it freezes then it will be too dangerous for children to travel to school.
I think it will be better to close the school because its too cold anyway

i think the school should not re-open until monday because the weather forecast suggest more snow and freezing so for people who have to walk it wont be safe on the paths and people who live out of march may have difficulty getting to school

i think opening tomorrow would be very careless. The weather forecast predicts snow tomorrow and even stronger wind conditions and i dont think students will be able to concentrate, just like monday. with the snow melting and then temperatures falling the snow will turn to ice and for many students it will be dangerous and hard to get into school, most students dont bother coming in anyway, plus we only have snow once or twice a year and we never get as much as what we did today, i think we should take advantage of it and be able to enjoy ourselves, shutting for a couple of days a year wont hurt anybody.

we live 3 miles away and have to come in by car, i am reluctant to come out onto the roads in icy and snowy conditions.

there isn’t much point opening the school when it’s going to be just as bad as it was today. i think it would be nice if we could have another day off, and if it is snowing atall then most people would be worried about coming in anyway, re-open monday!

ive just seen the weather report, it says that it will become extremely icey over night and not to travel if you dont have to. children travelling to school may cause accidents.

i think that school should be closed tomorrow due to the horrendous conditions i experienced this morning. I did my paper round at 5.30 this morning, where i was told was the worst part of the morning for snow. i fell of my bike about 7 times and although you might find it funny, it wasnt. It was impossibe to bike.. and i was nearly hit by a car as well. Cars were just skiding all over the place and it was horrific. it may have been this morning however, the forecast is not good and with ice and further snow, whats the point in putting lifes at danger? my mother and father agree with me as well, because its just suicidal! do the right thing and keep it shut, only one day left, and its friday.

Hello there, my view is if there is still snow in the moring no one would be motivated for work also a new week a new start…

Well i do believe that tomorrow it would be sending us back for one and if the roads arent clear its going to be hard for half the students to reach the school. Our education is very improtant but many injuries can happen as there maybe black ice about. With The Heating system not all working it wouln’t be fair to make us come in from the cold into a cold classroom i also think the teachers wouldn’t enjoy this either. Giving the rest of the students and I would be a good mood a day of rest, i would be very thankful for it if you made this decision.

i think we should close school tomorrow for three reasons
1.transport for parents and also students will be very hard and also very dangerous
2.because it prevents accidents occuring or happening
3.we have more bad weather coming and also black ice
and lets face it we dont get snow everyday
jordan

the weather conditions are quite bad atm, and its either going to be icy or thick snow so many people are not going to be able to travel to school. it is supposed to snow tomorrow which means students will sign out to leave the premises, and as it is a friday and the last day of the week and we dont get snow often i think it would be best to have tomorrow off.

school should close, i’d rather not bike tomorrow considering the ice and slush and its the only way possible of getting into school as my parents work.
on monday i also had my jumper taken off me even though it was freezing cold and i was just trying to keep reasonably warm.

if the weather does what it says its going to do then it will not be easy or safe to travel to school. as you know many students travel from out of march and buses will not be running and parents will resent driving in it. therefor it is in the best interests of everybody that the school is closed on friday 6th.

I think the school should close for tomorrow as well
1. as i live in elm the roads are too dangerous to get to school
2. there’s no point in comming for one day
3. it talks of more snow tomorrow

I don’t think school should be open tomorrow because I live about a 40Min walk from school and I either have to get a lift which probably won’t be an option due to the “black” ice and ice overall, or my other option is to walk and i don’t think walking would be a breeze..
Karl

i feel that the college should stay closed for friday and on monday re open when the snow is cleared and the roads wont be slidey!!! a fair amount of teachers will not appear because of the dreadful weather so therefore the school should be shut! it will be a danger hazard to people at the school!

We live outside of March, and this morning the roads hadn’t been gritted. Even if the school does open, I will not risk driving for the sake of a few hours at school, especially as it would be likely that many teachers will be absent due to the long distances they travel, so students may well have cover teachers and will not be doing normal lessons anyway. I doubt many pupils will turn up even if it is open, so it is probably best to just make the decision to close now.

Also, as heavy snow is predicted for Monday, I would suggest a decision is made by Sunday evening, so that parents know whether or not they need to make childcare arrangements in good time.

i think school should be closed because th roads are really icy, and its hard for me to get to school because i dont live in march and mum doesnt have time to take me to school because the buses are most likely going to be closed. many accidents have been caused on the little country roads, and most of my way to school is by these roads. so i think school should be closed x

I think the school should be closed tomorrow. Many people travel on buses and alot go through small villages which with it being icy would make it very dangerous. Also lots of teachers live away from school and it would be dangerous for them to get to school so we’d have suplys and wounldn’t do work anyway.

Its pretty pointless going to school tomorrow, as parents who are easy on their children will let them stay off anyway. So what is the point of only some children turning up.

Also, where I live, I haven’t seen a gritting lorry all week, so the roads are really dangerous.

eavy snow 2morrow There is a high risk of a severe weather event affecting parts of southern and eastern England on Friday. Periods of snow will be heavy at times and will give accumulations of 5 to 10 cm over large areas and locally 15 to 20 cm over high ground. This is likely to cause disruption to travel.i think we shold have the day off and go back monda cus noone will wanna work because of the snow. i think we should just start back on monday

it is silly to open up just for one day and it will be cold and dangerous for student thoughout the day and for students to get to school in the morning and more snow is yet to come plz dont open

I belive it may be unsafe to open school tommrow as those on busses may be at risk traveling,the road in which my bus travels along has the 16ft bank right next to it,it would be very dangerous and the consiquences if we went in are unthinkable.

I think the school should be closed tomorrow because its stupid starting again on a friday + wat everyone else says it’s too cold and the ice roads are bad x

I drive 47 miles to work each way in these conditions , it appears everyone is getting carried away with the weather , it is possible to get to school, all the main roads will be cleared . ALSO WHEN PARENTS WANT TO TAKE THEIR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR 1 DAY ,THEY ARE THREATENED WITH FINES , so teachers and kids stop whinging and go to school !!!

Ive just checked tomorrows weather and its going to be the same as today. I think you may aswell close the school as if pupils that live close can only come in, there will only be a few in the school. People who have to travel down busy roads in the morning with black ice and busses i very unsafe

I think tomorrow school should be closed again because it would be dangerous for a large number of students to get on a bus because it could have and accident due to icey roads and snow doesnt come every day. Many students have had a bundle of fun today and would appreciate you more if you let us have on more day on. Lets start a fresh start on Monday

We live almost 3 miles away and we had dificulty driving to school on monday, think of how hard it will be in twice as much snow. Plus what’s the point in sending the children to school for 1 day they had so much fun today it would be a shame to send them in tomorrow.

I agree with most of the above that Neale-Wade should not open tomorrow. Although main roads may be clear, many people live elsewhere and students walking to school may find conditions hazardous.
As more snow is forecast, and with the remaining snow turning to ice, i feel that not many students will come to school tomorrow, even if it is open!
Staff also come from many places other than March, and they could also find the conditions dangerous.

Personally, as a year 11 student, i feel that having this day off will not only give me a chance to relax but to also get in genuine coursework and revision time-something that is much needed!
Thankyou for asking for our opinions on this matter.

i agree with craig lmao

dear mr hitch , we think it shouldnt be open, due to the fact it will be icy and highly dangerous! also the out doors area will be slippy and students will have massive snow fights, and get other students hurt,also the caretakers will have to deal with the wet floors and carpets, witch will be a pain in the bum. it is also rather pointless for the last day, our mums will have to wash our school uniform agen! and to be honest i think thats unfair!!! also for some students traveling to and from school will be a big issue !! Soo Please Close The School Its PointLess And also i get a lay in

I was really pleased not to have to make the drive into school today, the roads looked awful. It has not melted at all in Peterborough today.

My sons and I think after looking at the local forcast for tomorrow a predicted 5 -10cm of snow will cover the area, this would mean more wet and slippery surfaces, as my son came home from school on tuesday with a twisted ankle from slipping over more than once so i was told.. it would be rather ridiculous for the school to reopen.
i expect many more students have suffered the same.
would be greatful if you would inform us sooner in future times please

I think the school should be closed because it is hard for people who catch buses and live far away to get to school and it will stop alot of accidents happening and there could be alot more bad weather on the way. Also there is no point of goin back to school for one day.

i belive skwl should be closed tomorrow because i culdnt have
come taday if it was open because my farm was full of snow and there would
be no point of skwl tomorrow coz everyone wud be
freezing and be snowball fight live
you couldnt amagine

please take this into consideration

Love Ryan Ling ..XxX

i dont go to this school.
but you should keep it closed just for katie.
thankyou.

I believe it was absolutely right not to open today. It’s not an easy decision to make about tomorrow right now except to say that if conditions are as bad or worse than they were when I set off this morning and as they are predicted to be no better (according to the latest readings from the Met Office and BBC) then I, for one, would be happiest if we do not open Friday.
I am reasonably hopeful and confident that the school site itself may be made fairly safe but from my perspective it’s the getting to and from it that concerns me most. There needs to be a qualitative improvement in predicted or actual road conditions. A decision to be taken tonight on present evidence would say, stay closed, taken at 7AM tomorrow there’s a chance the weather might be better than today.

I think that the school should remain closed as half of the other students I have been speaking to, doubt that they will be able to make it to school due to transport.

I have been off from school all week, and I have to walk to school, and it takes me about 40 minutes to walk to school. And walking to school in this weather wouldn’t do me much good.

school should be closed cuz its my birthday = ]

i think school should be closed tomorrow as it wouldnt leave a hugh mess for the poor caretakes. 2 days of school would not hurt as students wouldnt learn anything anyway because of the snow outdoors.

i find it a bad idea to open the school tomorro, because i cannot take my child in and if i cant take her in she will have to walk and therefore get soaked in the snow, then she will have to spen te day in freezing class rooms, Wet! how is she meant to get on with her work if shes soaked n freezing to be honest my child wont be attending school tomorro if its bad weather and im unable to take her in, besides 2 days off of school isnt going to do her bad its better than her gettin a cold and not being in for weeks do you not think?

Parent.

i think we should not go to school tomorrow because we would be putting ourselfs in danger due to the fact of ice on the roads and that it talks of more snow.Most people would not be able to come to school anyway because of the ice ect.so thats the reason why,i think,that we should not come to school:D
x

i think you should decide now if your shuting the school because i said so and that should be a yh to shut the school

Walking on snow is hard enough, walking on ice is even worse! It would better to open on the Monday, that way everyone is over the snow hype. Also, traffic is bad enough as it is on a normal school day, if the snow freezes over night and the roads are dangerourous tomorrow it’s only going to make getting to school (by bus, bike or car) even worse. Everywhere that got affected on Monday, closed tuesday and Wednesday, so closing an extra day isn’t going to make a significant difference.

to be honest i dont think the school should open its not fair on teachers and student who have to travel along bad main roads to get to work and school also if its gunna be icy theres a risk someone could get hurt and its not worth it for one day.

I think the school should be closed tomorrow, coz parents who are soft with their kids are gonna let them stay off anyway, so what’s the point of only half the pupils coming in. And if there are only half of us, and not all the teachers, then we won’t be doing proper work anyway.

Also where I live the road weren’t gritted and it was really slippery for the cars driving past my house, so it will be dangerous to get in aswell.

i dont think it should be open as its going to bee hard to get in to school and the school is already freezing, so everyone will have a cold.

school should be closed tomorrow as it would be hard for people that dont live in march to travel in. also theres not much point in being inschool for one day.(:

We think school should be closed tomorrow, becuase westend today was great! Cmon its only another day.
love ya

i think that school shoulnt be opened 2morrow because i have to walk a long way to get to school and ny the time u have got to school my feet would be wet and cold and my umiform would be cuvred in snow. and plus the roads and paths and some students may slip over a hurt themselfs on the way to school ,

Well i dont think that the school should re-open as the ammount of accidents.
The snow and the ice on the roads will cause accidents and no one could make it into school because of the ice.
you shuld just open the school monday it will be pointless to open it for 1 day.
No one will be in school if it is open friday you should open it monday!

I feel that opening the school tomorrow would be pointless. Even though I am able to arrive at college due to living so close I feel that most teachers due to living in cambridge and surrounding areas will not be in to teach me. This being a constant problem anyway! I could use that day for more productive activities such as catching up and doing extra work as i have done today…

think the school should be closed as buses will find it hard then only and not everyone will turn up, teachers also failed 2 show on monday, let it be a long weeekend

no point in opening it on a friday – its supposed to be worse tomorow anyway – its to dangerous to drive and i dont really want to walk across town and getting wet.

from experience of coming to school everyday on a bus i feel that with the weather conditions being the way they are there bad to travel in not only for student but also for teachers who have to travel to come to work also being in school with snow no one has the consentration or motivation to do the work all people want to do is throw snow balls which could hurt somone or do some damage plus whats the point of opening the school for one day and having to heat it when we could all just have a long weekend. also if the snow gets worse during the day and buses stop running how will student manage to get home ??

i really dont see te point cus its only one day an im not walking to school andgetting wet cus i will be wet allthrough the day so i dont see the point. and if parents have to drive its a bit dangerous

i think the school should be open as arrangements for students during the day are hard to arrange and with exams coming up pupils should be getting as much revision as possible also will the phones be manned in the morning or will there be a message relating to the weather conditions as i believe the phone system is totally inadequate as they do not open until half past 8 this does not leave enough time to sort out for the day and is far to late notice for students who are already in school by then.

Excuse me Mr Hitch, i would just like to share with you the horrendous conditions that i have experienced in the past 12 hours. I attempted to walk outside this morning and as soon as i stepped out of the house i slipped. This was not a humorous incident, but a more serious one. This could repeat itself if i try and venture to school in the morning. My opinion on the matter of school opening tomorrow is a serious one. I feel that opening the school could cause accidents as students may slip in school and sustain an injury. Or there could be a road accident traveling to school. I am positive that the school do not want that on their conscience. Regards, a student with fair but firm views x

I think it would be totally pointless opening on Friday. It’ll be dangerous. I’ve already hurt myself slipping over today, and people could seriously hurt themselves when its icy tomorrow. Also, its supposed to snow again tomorrow and we could all get stranded at school! I live in March, but its hard trying to get down my road, let alone the other side of town. Plus, loads of people won’t come in if they don’t live nearby. So pleaaaase don’t open on Friday!! Give us a rest ready for Monday.

Dear sir/madam,
We think you should consider shutting the school for the day tomorrow. Due to the terrible weather conditions we feel that it would not be safe for students to travel to and from school, as there could be a numerous amounts of injuries, due to careless driving and silly behaviour. Please take this to consideration.
Yours truly poppy g and alice p.

I believe that to decide on the opening of our school through the masses is totally ridiculous. We as a nation do not use everybody in deciding the key issues at the time, this is because massive problems are caused when little thought is taken in a view. It is obvious to me that students are more than likely to wish for a day off, purely so as not to go to school; nothing to do with danger. But, I ask you this, is a lack of education worth a few inches of snow and ice? Of course not! I would like to take this moment to declare where i stand with schooling and that i feel the notion of “weekends” is also something we must reconsider! If our youth are to get the best of of the education system these short, disruptive breaks are certainly not what is needed. Very much linked into this is opening hours, i feel that six is most certainly not enough and at the least should be doubled. Schooling must continue! No matter what the weather.

Anon.

i think coming into school tomorrow would be a bad idea as the roads in Elm haven’t been gritted today and the buses were unable to get through all day. also as it forcasts freezing tonight making the roads very slippery and as the council are running short on grit it is highly unlikely that they would travel through such a small village and as it would be a friday it does seem quite pointless and we should see how the weather is like on monday. + even if we did make it to school how safe would it be to walk about outside? and how would the heating be as alot of this week most classrooms have been very cold and our non-uniform items have been told to be taken off making us even colder.

i have seen the latest weather for march and it forecasts snow tomorrow and it would be silly to open on a friday, wait and see what happens monday but it doesnt look good!

My views on this situation is, i think the school should be closed tomorrow, as today my father was in a car accident on the way to work, (20 miles away) he made it to 6 miles, because of the non gritted roads he glided into a ditch leaving him with whiplash, and a morning at the hospital. i don’t particularly wish this upon anyone and also, weather forcasts are saying there shall be snow and rain tomorrow, making roads slipery, and unsafe( http://uk.weather.yahoo.com/UKXX/UKXX1596/index_c.html ). Therefore; by opening the school you will be risking lives, one more day off school to save alot of accidents? i think so, close it.

Re: Friday Opening
Mr Hitch – Firstly thank you allowing a public consultation.
I agree is was right to close the school on Thursday.
It took 30 mins of scary driving to travel a distance which usually takes 5 minutes. I narrowly avoided 3 accidents close to the school site. The weather forecast from the Met Office predicts a 60% chance of severe weather conditions.
I don’t think a reasoned decision as to whether to open on Friday can be taken until 7am on Friday. I think it should be based on the actual and predicted weather, Education Authority Advice, staffing and what other schools decide.
There are pros and cons to not opening:
Pros
Safety has to come first for all concerned, whether travelling to/from school or whilst on the site and the number of possible accidents will increase due to higher volumes on the road. This discussion would be immaterial if just one child is seriously injured. We might use the road considerately but I have witnessed people skidding in cars and creating unnecessary risk not just for themselves but those around them.
Children will be arriving wet and cold not be in an effective frame of mind to concentrate on study. Especially if younger siblings are left at home due to their school remaining closed. The school buildings and grounds will need considerable heating and cleaning up at the end of the day. Children may not be as comprehensively supervised compared to when the school was operating to normal staffing capacity.
Cons
My main concern is child supervision – whilst it is nice to have the opportunity to remain at home and look after the children in extreme weather not everyone has this option and have to struggle in, this causes an immediate problem for those parents without a support network of accessible carers.
Secondly, anti-social behaviour. I have heard today of customers reluctant to leave the George Campbell Leisure centre in March due to what could be seen by some as intimidating behaviour by large groups of senior school pupils who do not realise how their actions can be interpreted. For example, I witnessed 2 teenagers throwing compacted snowballs at passing traffic and pedestrians alongside a busy main road, putting everyone in danger.
Thirdly – educational impact. My child is in Year 11 and I have a daily battle to get homework & course work etc done. Surely every lesson counts? Can we have more homework posted to this site to compensate if school does not open?

Lets be honest.. if you open tommorow no one will come in anyway. Then it’s annoying for the people like me who live close that have to come in. Anyway, everyone is too hyper so it;s not like we’ll learn anything anyway. Also there’s always some dumb kids that want to throw snowballs at you so even if you come to school dry you wont be that way for long. I live on the main road and there was plenty of people getting stuck on cavalry corner, which i predict will be worse tomorrow. Especially if there is a higher amount of traffic, and a high percentage of the traffic have to come down this road to get to school. I know parents dont like driving in it and it;s not fair to ask people to risk injury to get to school for a friday. Fridays at school are useless anyway because everyone is hyper about the weekend. Let alone with snow on top of that.
Lets just see you on monday

& the comment from ‘anon.’ was Ben crowther being dumb. No one thinks that in their right mind.

I am pleased and amazed at the number of responses the college blog has received. I echo the sentiments of a parent in yesterdays comment, not many schools have a system like Neale-Wades. It is also refreshing to see comments from all areas of the college community. I have enjoyed reading them , especially Faye Garners- I am pleased you have taken this opportunity to start your revision. I look forward to a measured and balanced decision in the morning. Whatever the outcome I am sure that all the issues raised in this blog will be considered.

I belive that we should not go to achool tomorrow becuase its friday and its the last day before the weekend so i think that we should not go in becuse theres no point , Plus on tuseday i got hit in the face sevral times with snow on the way ,in and an the way from school and i was freezing cold and i think it will be repeated aging . Also with the snow from today will freeze and if it snows againg lots of people will be slipping over and i don’t think any of the buses will be working .And my parents said its the first time since i was 1 when it’s snowed this bad and i think its the same for the other students at neale-wade .Thank you for reading and thank you for updating the website so quickly on days like this
from
Emma:D

i feel for the safety of those student who arrive at school via taxi car or bus it would be wise to remain closed until monday when the snow clears, also a snow day is a chance for groups of neale wade students who would otherwise not converse, come together as has been shown today….

I believe the decision whether to close the school should not be made until we see what the weather is in the morning (albeit earlier than today). Surely asking for comments on whether the school should open or not really is not the way to go, is a child really going to agree with the school opening!!!

i think it does them good to get out there.
its only a bit of snow.. i had to do it.

I also agree i don’t think that the schoool should be open because it is a health hazzard many people will mess about on the roads and be foolish and like people have said the snow don’t come every day

Can you please take this into consideration

from Emily May

I think school should be kept closed because of the reasons already stated below; many [especially staff] have to travel and as the roads, as well as the pavements!, are so dangerous at the moment, i don’t think it very sensible to put them in this position.

i think i should also point out that alot of students won’t attend even if school DID open; making it all the more pointless. x

if it snows really bad i’ll close the school but on the 5 of feb cavalry was still open but they had a gd day my sis went to sch and they play in the snow alday but there u go

can i just say, i think you should let us know if the school is opened or closed now as you dont answer your phones until half past 8 in the morning, and everyone i know leaves at around 8 o’clock, so therefore i think you should just shut the school!

i think its wrong to open the school on friday, when such bad weather is forecast, think of the emergancy services, that will be stretched to there limits, they don’t need any help from you, hospitals will fill with people who have had accidents, by being forced to travel to work or school. leave everyone in bed would cha?

Hello my daughter goes to neale-wade and we live at the over side of town , I also work at a school and today my kids were overjoyed to hear that school was closed. The last time i saw this much snow was when i was in my late 20′s and my daughter only saw it when she was 2 please may you close the school and re-open on monday. I also dobut if you open the school hardly any teachers and students will be able to make it in with all the ice that is forcast for tomorrow. It would be a bit risky opening tomorrow and the weather doesn’t look good but let’s wait and see.

well.. i like my ponies and they get cold and i have to ride them to school so its not fair because they will get very cold feet. the ice will be slippery and they might trip and cause a traffic hazard :O it will be very icy thankyou for considering my point of views

I feel that the school should be closed tomorrow, based on the predicted weather, and also today’s weather. If it doesn’t snow overnight, it will almost certainly be cold, with the current snow and ice on the roads still being there in the morning, making it hazardous for cars, buses, cyclists and also people that walk. Also, I bike to school, and many of the roads I use are never gritted, even when it hasn’t snowed they are still icy, and i’ve seen numerous people slip off on these roads, so imagine what it would be like with the current weather.

I do not think that we should go to school tomorow because it is all about health and safety…. yes its only a bit of snow but the roads could get slippery and cause accidents. Its not so much about when we’re there its more getting there for people that have to travel. I’m lucky i live in march
THANKYOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU xx

mum first, it took me 20 minutes to travel to work this morning wich is only the prison,this is a journey that would normally take 5 minutes.i told my daughter that even if the college was open today i did not want her to go,for her own safety.as my daughter walks to school as she has no other means of getting to the college i feel that even tommorow morning she may not be safe, they dont grit the paths? the college will be wet and students will have to spend the day in wet uniform, and i know how much she complains just when it rains a bit.If im honest even if you open the school tommorow you will have a half empty school as many students will not bother to risk the travel to school.

megan- Mum pretty much said it all,but i know alot of my freinds all feel the same, and havent we prooved our point already considering there is 107 comments, including many parents. i dont want to be in an accident, and if anyone is and the college is open tommro we will all say well we did warn you. sorry. x

At the end of the day it basically only snows once a year..if that! Quie clearly its going to be dangerous tommorow, so why take any chances. No work is going to be done by younger students. It would be havoc for parents getting their children to and from school. Unneccesary work will have to be done for the caretakers. Come on Mr Hitch, its only once a year..its going to be very dangerous so whats the point in opening? re open on monday and give everyone a well deserved break including yourself! Rory

Look its only a bit of snow. we all had to do it before when i went to school.
but i can see the students point of views and it would be nice for them to have another day off.

P.s dont be a scrooge let us live our young days and have fun!

Thankyou, Mr.D’Cunha for the mention!

I feel that the school should stay closed, is it fair to drag 1000+ students into school in dangerous conditions, just for one day of work, work that’s bound to be disrupted by the students being soaking and cold due to getting to school in harsh conditions. Not only is the weather itself dangerous for the students getting to school slipping, cars hitting black ice etc. Other people must be taken into account, many students walk or cycle to school through the rush hour morning traffic that’s danger will be amplified tomorrow morning. Not to mention the dangers for students and staff alike traveling from further out. I realise that as a student i may be seen to be presenting a biased view, one that has been attacked by previous people commenting on the blog. However i would ask these people to put themselves in the position of worried parents who fear for their child’s safety when going to school or indeed the students themselves who don’t have cars and will have to reach Neale Wade on foot and who are bound to get sodden and cold.

From the above comments, I feel that students are safer going to school because quite a few have slipped on ice today, and almost had a bad injury.

Apart from jokes, I am sure that management will let us know ASAP about the decision, and will consider all the safety aspects both for travelling and at school, as some of us travel quite a distance.

many fair opinions have been raised, but in all honesty and with all due respect Mr Hitch – I think you know that nobody is overly keen on the idea of school tomorrow. Admittedly, there are people who think we should face the snow. but a school full of cold, and possibly wet children? what is the positive side to that do tell me?

righty ho. heres a good comment.
i think we shouldnt have to go to school tomorrow because lots of people’s mums and dads are worried :S and they think its a health hazard. and WE’RE ALL BIG SUPPORTERS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY. so just let us have one more day off?
its nice to have one snow day in the year.. even though it would be 2 it would be SILLY to come to school for one day. so please let us have another day off?
xxxx

umm do you think we’re going to get a day off then?
is it just going to be sleet and rain from now on? because then it wont be a health hazard will it?
are we more likely to be getting a day off than not? or will we most likely just be going in?

i think the school should be closed tomorrow as i find it very hard to concentrate when im cold and wet, i dont live far from school but i would rather not risk falling over and 1. injuring myself 2. looking like an idiot 3. getting even colder. I feel it is unreasonable to expect parents and teachers to travel in these conitions as it is very dangerous. 2 days off wont kill us and as a year 11 i feel i would benefit from having a day off to relax and catch up on coursework etc.

I think that it does depend entirely on the weather tomorow but if it does snow overnight the buses will not b running due to the concern of ice, my bus journey involves an ungritted back road through villages and with ice that cannot be safe.
Another concern is getting home from school as if it snows heavily the bus will not be there take us home and I do not wish to be stranded at school in the cold tomorow afternoon.
Personally I think we shud just have the long weekend which will also provide as a good coursework day!!
Danni Busby (y11)

think of the majority!
the minority and majority are co-existing in harmony. surely a teachers dream? Give us a day off sir, please

i think the students should not go in on friday but instead use the extra day off to learn to wear a tie properly or maybe study at home.also if days off are easy to take, will i be allowed to take my children out of school during term time for a family holiday?

Judging by the amount of slush and snow that I have to trudge back through on my way home tonight, I’d strongly advise against opening the school tomorrow. No amount of salt, hot water, etc. will prevent the amount of ice that’ll be around. People won’t be willing to risk the trip, especially since it’s Friday and especially if it’s too dangerous for them to travel in. And as few teachers live locally, you might have the rather large problem of staff shortages, too.

Hey mr D’Cunha x

grit the roads and we’ll be fine.

As a parent of older children, I am in a priveledged position of not having to worry about childcare, but have been in this position in the past. What exactly is the disruption? If you think it is to children’s education then I would argue that this is minimal as catch up time should be calculated into the school year…….. how many of our children come home from May onwards telling us that all they did in school was watch a film and that they did little work.

Teachers will be able to work efficiently from home or get a chance to work with few interuptions if they are on school premises. How sad it is that children and families are not allowed to take advantage of time together, to experience something different. A lot of children will have gained something from a break in routine and I was pleased that from my street I could hear the sound of children’s laugher as they played in the snow. If conditions are dangerous tomorrow, then I think it would be no bad thing to keep the school closed.

I live on the only hill in the fens so getting out of my street is a nightmare but makes for brilliant sledging! It took my husband 30 minutes to get less than 1/2 a mile to the main road this morning so I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those living out of town or away from a main road. Whatever the decision, if I have to go to school tomorrow I hope to see lots of you there – especially Ada House kids!

As a student I know what it feels like in this conditions to work in. People get distracted people get hurt eg. slipping over or being hit with snow balls. People do not concentrate and only talk about the snow. Also the cold wet conditions is not easy to work in. I feel that being at home would be a much better option for friday (tomorow) and back to school when the weather is a lot better than today and what is predicted for tomorow.

I live locally and can get into school if you decide to open and if my younger child is not off school.

I agree, if it is safe to do so then the school should be opened. However, any parent who thinks that the disgruntled few that turn up will actually be taught anything is sadly mistaken. We will spend every lesson watching bits of different films (not time for a whole one in 50 mins!) and moaning about why the school bothered opening. Considering the current and expected weather conditions a decision to open the school would be a waste of time and resources.

Lets do the sensible thing and stay shut.

whats happening mr hitch?

hey,
I think you should shut the school 2moz cus its the last day of the week and some people might find it hard to make it. Even if they can make it in the morning if it snows in the day they might find it hard to get home. There isn’t a point of opening – shut the school 2moz pleaseeeeeee

Emily:D

I think almost all students will say the school should be shut as they dont want to go, but bearing this in mind some have valid points about the safety aspect, which not only includes the journey to and from school for drivers and pedestrians, but also the slipperiness of the floors in school which can be very wet and dangerous. If the snow has all gone by the morning then fair enough but if there is more snow as forecast or its very icy I think it could be dangerous and it would be best to stay closed.

If the weather conditions are as bad tomorrow as they are today, I will not want my daughter to risk getting injured by walking to school, or any other pupil of the school. I appreciate it is not an easy decision to make but believe shutting the school today was the right one. I would hope that an equally sensible decision will be made tomorrow and the school will remain shut

i just wanted to say what a legend day i had

Dear mr Hitch,

Due to weather conditions we should not have to be sent to school tomorrow. As weather forecast says it’s the same as today but could get worse, without a doubt we will be sent home lunch time because the snow will be bad. Nearly half of the students catch a bus and will not be able to attend school. All the roads will be very dangerous and could cause accidents, plus most children won’t bother coming in as it’s the last day of the week, it’s easier for all students and parents to know what’s happening sooner than later, the weather today wasn’t predicted heavy snow but turned out to be 4-6 inches. So tomorrow could be much worse the weather forecast says that it will be the same as today. This will be very dangerous if school is open. Please close school for bad weather conditions tomorrow.

but then again it would be nice to see all your friends you didnt get to see and talk about what you’ve been doing today? so it wouldnt be TOO bad if it was open. and you can play in the snow at break and lunch? looking on the bright side?

had a great day today

I don’t even think we should have got the day off today. Firstly, other students were being naughty around the town and secondly I need put as much work in as possible for my GCSE’s and now i’ve missed a day il’ll have to put the work in on another occasion. Infuriating…

OPEN THE SCHOOL TOMMOROW

I think that it is stupid to go to school tomorrow because i cant get to school in the morning. I bike to school and the last time it snowed i hurt mayself so badly okay.

I think it is dangerous to come to school in this weather, with the icy roads and the weather forecast said it’s going to be like this tomorrow if not worse, so i don’t think we should be sent to school tomorrow.

For those of you who would like some extra support in your revision, Faye and James, you can use SAMlearning the link is http://www.samlearning.com the login information is below.

Centre ID: PE15NC
User ID: DOB + initials
e.g 300990AF
Password: Same as User ID

All students should be able to access this site using their relevant detail. If you cannot please contact me at the college.

most of us spent the day with our friends today anyway. and it wouldnt be snow it would be ice, and that hurts. x

I think the decision should be made tomorrow, and judged by the amount of snow that has fallen. Most students live locally and therefore can get in. As for the teachers, I know it would be more difficult for those who live out of town but then that is part of the job. The trouble with this country is that we pander too much to everything, sometimes we should just get on with things. Its only a bit of snow!! The students seem to have lots of days off throughout the year don’t lets make this another one if it can be helped. A lot of work gets missed. By asking students whether they think it is necessary to open then I think you would know what the answer would be from them.

after keeping close eye on weather forecast mostly predicted sleet for tomorrow, although met office web site has put us on a severe weather warning expecting heavy snow. i think the decision can only be made in the morning, as my children have to travel in by bus i will always think of their safety before letting them come to school.

I believe it would be very unsafe to open the school as there will be sheet ice on the roads and it will be to dangerous for people getting the car to school and for staff to get there safely. Re-open on Monday, I think.

Hello everyone, hope everyone had a decent snow day.
As a teenager i would hate for the school to re-open on friday, but if i was a teacher, i would depend it on the weather and the radio. if other schools are closed then i would shut too.
But to be honest, i do hope its closed tomorrow, maybe see you monday.

Most of the above comments have shown that school should be closed tomorrow, so come on Mr Hitch do it!

Please close the school.

I promise (with my whole entire life. Cross my heart and hope to die.) that I will make use of the day off given tomorrow.Instead of having a DVD marathon and endless eating which I did today I will revise Physics in exchange of the Neale Wade closure tomorrow. hahaha

Please, Listen to your heart.
It is the most loving thing you could do.

i think the school should not be open tomorrow, the roads are very dangerous for any type of transport and the forecast looks bad. i really hurt myself biking to school in the snow earlier this week and it is not a great way to start the school day! obviously if the snow has all melted then it wouldnt be that bad, after all it is a friday! oh, and i dont really want to go to school in wellies! i would much prefer to do some revision at home dry and warm

Dear Mr Hitch And Other Members Of Staff,

Even if it does not snow tomorro, the roads are still going to be extremely slippery, and ii dont want to risk injurying myself and having a few weeks off just for one friday where, most of the students if the college is open wont even bother coming in and sitting in a cold wet uniform not motivated to do any work what so ever. Thank you for letting us place or opinions on this decusion as it makes us feel involved with the situation! But i still think we shouldnt go to school tomorro, as its going to be a dangerous journey getting there and getting back! Fresh start monday morning, lets just take this opotunitey to have a long weekend.

As you may already know i am on crutches following an operation last monday. i think it is silly to open the school on a friday and as it was snowy today ir will be very icy and dangerous for everybody. not just for me.

Calling all Da Vinci students – if we are open – don’t stay in bed – show a united front and let our house have the best attendance. If not enjoy you’re 2nd snow day !

yeah but of course parents are going to say that there kids should come in as they want them to learn and do well etc. but being a student i think i know how it feels to have to come to school in the freezing cold, and then sit in a class soaking wet and in pain from where all the little kids have decided to pelt snowballs at you, and then be expected to concentrate properly and get on with the work when your uncomfortable, cold, wet and in a bad mood. monday at school was just about bareable and that was only a small amount of snow. i know that students are going to say we should have the day off, but we arent just saying it because we would like the day off, im actually genuinly worried for peoples safety. my dad had a really bad car crash a couple of years back and that was from it being icey conditions. dragging 1000 and more kids into school in the exact same conditions, plus chucking snow on top on top of that is just stupid

Just thought I would get the last blog in before bed time. Bourne, North of Peterborough is turning into a slush pond. I feel if the temperature keeps above 0 degree then all should be well for tomorrow. I spent the day catching up on school work and throwing the odd snowball at my step daughter. She had a hoot and made three snow men.

I was relieved to hear the school closed today as the roads were the worse I had seen since learning to drive. I love reading all those blogs, they are great and a real asset to the Neale-Wade Community. Way to go all of you!!

Dear Mr Anon AKA Ben; fabulous blog….very amusing and patriotic.

I am really concerned though about our pupils getting knocked off bicycles by traffic. There appears to be a spate of this. What ever happened to cycling proficiency (spelling check) lessons.

What ever happens for Friday those who chose to blog are simply wonderful!

Its good of you to open this decision to the public, of course students are going to want the day off but the conditions this morning were dreadful. The roads where i live, Guyhirn, havent been gritted so far this evening and its 10:30 so it doesnt seem its going to happen. The amount of snow and water left is enough so that when it freezes over night it will make roads dangerously unsafe, and if it snows like the weather reports say then it will be worse because it will be ice under snow which is never good. I doubt if the the roads in Guyhirn are like they were this morning the busses the will run to school because of the danger aspect and if that does happen many people in the village wont be able to get to school because of parents being at work.

thanks

Close the school tomorrow because we have all been working hard this year and deserve a day off plus it is going to be wet and misearble!
Everybody really wants it !!!!
Thanks.

latest weather from met office :
Friday:
A generally cloudy and cold day. Some heavy snowfall is possible during the morning, especially across the higher ground towards the west. Becoming drier from the north in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 3 °C.

hope this helps.

p.s. if it is icey and / or snowy in the morning, i doubt many people from elm, fridaybridge etc. will be in, due to there being no buses , and the fact that we will have to travel on one of the worst roads in the county, (beside the 20ft drain).

From my point of view, I have just been out to look at the roads, and it is 11.36pm they are skating rings, travel is going to be precarious to say the least early in the morning when parents leave for school. Particularly parents who are coming in from further afield. We also have to think about the possibility that if the conditions worsen later in the day tomorrow and school has opened parents and childrens safety may be compromised.

Much as I would like a peaceful day tomorrow with my son safely in school, I would personally have to weigh up the pros and cons of taking him given the conditions. Police advice is to only make neccessary journeys.

Its great that you are going to consider the views of parents though, either way I respect the decision that is taken.

Hello. From my point of veiw i think the school should be closed. Its 6:48am on friday and looking out of the window its very icy and dangorous and would be a pain getting to school and back expesialy for the people who dont live in march like me i live in wisbech and i take the bus to school and it would be very slippery on the roads for bus’s and stuff.
Thanks x

i think you should just open the school because the weather is alot better today and it’s just pointless not opening it! To be fair if parents can’t take their children to school then, just don’t take them. i want to go to school because atleast i won’t be at home doing nothing all day!

Safety of the children and Staff… there might be lots of ice on the paths at school and along the roads.
so for one more day close the school..the news is telling us to only travel if really needed.

morning everyone,

here in peterborough, as was yesterday, we still have plenty of snow about, but with that has come large amount of slush which has now been compacted down into ice by the large lorries that pass through the village, making it a sort of ice rink for cars! i usually leave for school around 7:15, so i will be monitoring the website and making contact with the rest of DT before coming to a decision. Doesn’t look to great at the moment, obviously the safety of eveyone is paramount, and looking at the views here everyone is clearly worried. i will back any decision the school makes, whether or not i can get there is another story!

Mr C

Mr Hitch has announced that the College is closed today (Friday) – see http://www.neale-wade.net/blog/?p=652

As Mr C says it’s an ice rink over here so thanks for making the decision to close as I think safety is our main concern. Shame I won’t get to practise my ice rallying skills on the way in but I’m sure I’ll cope.

thankyou mr hitch

cheers mr hitch

cheers mr hitch its a great 4 day weekend xx

Omg thanks mr hitch
hi mr welling

i think you did well by shutting the school mr hitch. i know a lot of people were slipping and sliding today, i did so myself just popping to the shop to buy milk !
see you all on monday for a fresh new week, and then a week off!

i think it should be closed because everyone keeps falling over and when u fall over on black ice it realy hurts and everyone willl just be waiting to go play in the snow anyway