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Sussex snow: school closures on Monday January 11


A list of school closures in Sussex is posted below.

MONDAY JANUARY 11

This is a list of full or partial closures.

ALDRINGTON COFE PRIMARY IS OPEN TODAY

All Adult and Community Learning Services in West Sussex

All Saints and St Richard's Primary, Heathfield

All Saints C of E Junior School will be open from 9.30am to 3pm

Alternative Centre for Education Brighton, all sites closed

BHASVIC closed except for exams and staff

Battle and Langton C of E Primary

Bevendean Primary closed this morning but will open for years Reception, 1 and 2 at 1.10pm; years 3-6 at 1.25pm (afternoon nursery session as usual)

Birchwood Grove Primary, Burgess Hill

Bonners Church of England Primary School will start at 9.30am

Bourne Primary School Nursery only will be closed

Broad Oak Primary

Cardinal Newman, Hove - closed except for exams

Catsfield Church of England Primary will be open from 9am

Chailey Heritage Nursery

Chailey School will be closed except Years 10 and 11 only from 9.30am-3.10pm

Chailey Secondary, open to years 10 and 11 only

Chiddingly Primary School will be open at 9.30am.

Christ Church Church of England Primary, St Leonards

Court Meadow School, Cuckfield

Crowhurst CofE Primary open from 10.30

Dallington Church of England Primary School

Davison High Schools for Girls in Worthing will open only for staff and year 11 from 10.45am

Downlands Community School, closed except year 11

East Hoathly CofE Primary will open at 9am in Armitage class

Etchingham Church of England Primary

Falmer High School open only to staff and year 11

Filsham Valley School - all staff should report for a 9am start. All students should report to school for a 10.20am start

Frant Church of England Primary School will open at 10am

Grovelands Community School, Hailsham

Hailsham Community College will be open for Years 11, 12, 13 only from 10.30am. Exam candidates should arrive at 9.30am

Hawkes Farm Primary, Hailsham

Heathfield Community College open only for years 11,12,& 13

Helenswood Lower School closed - Upper School is open. Helenswood School Upper School open only for Y10, Y11, Y12 and Y13 from 8.45am to 3.20pm. Lower School site remains closed to Y7, Y8 and Y9.

Herne Junior School, Crowborough, but pupils can go to Whitehill Primary if parents wish

Hillcrest School - open to years 10 and 11 only

Hillside School - opening at 10am

Hollington Primary School open at 10am

Hollycombe Primary

Icklesham Church of England Primary open at 10.30am

Jarvis Brook School open at 9.00-9.30am

Jeanne Saunders Centre, Hove

Kingsley Primary, Horsham

Longhill High School, Rottingdean

Marshlands Primary School open at 9.30am

Mary Magdalen, Brighton. Closed to pupils, but open to staff

Mayfield Church of England Primary

Mile Oak Primary, Portslade

Mountfield and Whatlington School, near Battle

Netherfield Church of England Primary School open from 10am until 3.15pm

Newick House School, Burgess Hill only open between 10am and 2.45pm

Newlands School and Nursery, Seaford

Nutley Church of England Primary School open from 9.30am until 3.15pm

Oak Grove College, Worthing (but staff should try to get in)

Oakmeeds Community College, Burgess Hill is open for Year 10 and Year 11 students only who should attend at 10am until about 2pm

Oakwood School

Pacey's Nursary, Whitehawk. Only open from 9am to 3pm

Palatine School in Worthing will be closed to pupils

Patcham High School closed except for year 11 students who should be in between 10am and 2pm

Pebsham Community Primary School start at 9.30am

Peter Gladwin, Portslade.

Plumpton Primary School open from 9.30am to 3pm

Portslade Community College, main site closed but Sixth Form site open for exams

Priory School - open to years 9, 10 and 11 only from 9.30am

Priory School open to Years 9, 10 and 11 at 9.30am and remain closed to Years 7 and 8

Punnets Town Primary

Queen Elizabeth 2nd Special School, Horsham

Ringmer Primary School - registration will be at 9.30am

Rydon College closed but will look after pupils if parents need help

Rye College - closed to all but year 11

Rye Community Primary

Sedlescombe C of E Primary

Sheepsetting Pre School, Heathfield

Sidley Community Primary School open at 9.30am

Silverdale Primary School, St Leonards

Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School open from 9.15am

St Joseph's, Brighton

St Mark's Church of England Primary School open from 10am

St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary, Bexhill

St Phillip Howard Catholic High, Barnham, Closed for years 7 to 10

Steyning Grammar School; Church Street Site closed, Shooting Field site open

Sussex Coast College - Station Plaza and London Road ppen as usual; Archery Road open at noon

Sussex Downs College - open for examination students but closed to all others

The Haven Voluntary Aided CofE Methodist Primary School open from 10am and 3.20pm

The Lindfield School, Eastbourne

The Windmills Junior School and Hassocks Infant School, Hassocks will open from 10am

Ticehurst and Flimwell C of E Primary

Uckfield Community College - open to year's 11, 12, 13 only

Uplands Community College - closed apart from exams

Varndean School - open for all staff and Year 11 only

Warden Park, Cuckfield closed to year 10 - open to all others

Westfield School

White House Primary, Hailsham

Worthing High School - open from 11am until 2.30pm to all students


Comments(133)

jagiwatch says...
6:51am Wed 6 Jan 10

HOVE PARK VALLEY CAMPUS

kbri8799 says...
7:15am Wed 6 Jan 10

anyone any ideas on northbrook college?

F King says...
7:19am Wed 6 Jan 10

Roedean Junior School on Eastern Road, brighton is closed as staff cannot get in

5ghayter says...
7:29am Wed 6 Jan 10

Aldrington CofE Primary School closed

oldskool_raver says...
7:35am Wed 6 Jan 10

Varndean School is closed.

Hellie13 says...
7:36am Wed 6 Jan 10

LITTLE HORSTED Cof E SCHOOL
UCKFIELD

5ghayter says...
7:39am Wed 6 Jan 10

5ghayter wrote:
Aldrington CofE Primary School closed
Is this wishful thinking by my sister?
still haven't heard yet.

wendyaway says...
7:41am Wed 6 Jan 10

Patcham Infant School is closed

ninacg says...
7:44am Wed 6 Jan 10

Downs View School
Woodingdean

Frank Booth says...
7:48am Wed 6 Jan 10

Dorothy Stringer School <b>Hove</b>? Does the Argus know something we don't?

uslot says...
7:49am Wed 6 Jan 10

shoreham academy is closed,they have posted on their website altho i think they may have the date wrong,its dated 05/01/10 yet the children were all at school yesterday.

kayotic says...
7:51am Wed 6 Jan 10

My daughter, a teacher at Balfour Junior School, informs me that her school is closed because of frozen water pipes.

Page the Oracle says...
7:51am Wed 6 Jan 10

Wishful thinking I think. I've just called the school & Mr Munn (Who is obviously related to Roald Amundesn) says that they are open!!

Charismatic Andrew says...
7:52am Wed 6 Jan 10

Patcham Junior School is closed

Page the Oracle says...
7:53am Wed 6 Jan 10

Page the Oracle wrote:
Wishful thinking I think. I've just called the school &amp; Mr Munn (Who is obviously related to Roald Amundesn) says that they are open!!
This was meant to quote the above re Aldrington CofE primary school.

just-a-person says...
7:57am Wed 6 Jan 10

patcham high school closed

vonkurthy says...
7:57am Wed 6 Jan 10

BRIGHTON STEINER SCHOOL CLOSED!

willis1337 says...
7:59am Wed 6 Jan 10

DOWNS JUNIOR SCHOOL (& INFANTS)

just-a-person says...
8:00am Wed 6 Jan 10

whitehawk juniors OPEN

willis1337 says...
8:01am Wed 6 Jan 10

willis1337 wrote:
DOWNS JUNIOR SCHOOL (&amp; INFANTS)
IS CLOSED

nomates says...
8:01am Wed 6 Jan 10

Just heard st bernadettes is closed

Ian Edmond says...
8:05am Wed 6 Jan 10

Somerhill Junior website says that both Somerhill and Davigdor Infants' are open.

mummy of 2 says...
8:06am Wed 6 Jan 10

Balfour infants and juniors are closed

Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit says...
8:07am Wed 6 Jan 10

I see Varndean School is closed, any news on Varndean College? They were a bit slow off the mark last time I remember and their website currently says nothing one way or the other (08:05)

uslot says...
8:10am Wed 6 Jan 10

Glebe primary school in southwick is OPEN

Gerry68 says...
8:10am Wed 6 Jan 10

Please note that St Joseph's Pre-School playgroup and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Davey Drive, Brighton) are both closed today.

wendyaway says...
8:11am Wed 6 Jan 10

The Dharma School, Patcham is closed

just-a-person says...
8:12am Wed 6 Jan 10

nothing on website nor answering phone varndean college, im waiting on this one to

LB says...
8:12am Wed 6 Jan 10

West Hove Juniors is open.

Daughter now howling...

mockduck says...
8:12am Wed 6 Jan 10

St Lukes is closed apparently.

Thanks to the Argus for this. Just as a side note, in these modern times it'd be nice if schools got their act together to email/text parents, although at this moment I'd settle for the council website having been updated.

just-a-person says...
8:15am Wed 6 Jan 10

varndean college closed heart fm quicker

pw24 says...
8:16am Wed 6 Jan 10

patcham juniors and patcham high schools are both closed today

just-a-person says...
8:18am Wed 6 Jan 10

whitehawk primary now closed

lisjona says...
8:19am Wed 6 Jan 10

Downs infant open for the morning 'till 12:30

just-a-person says...
8:20am Wed 6 Jan 10

anyone no if city college wilsons avenue closed ? last check they were open but expecting tutors not to get in please ? thanks

just-a-person says...
8:23am Wed 6 Jan 10

city college closed

dogs-ball says...
8:24am Wed 6 Jan 10

Whitehawk primary school closed, just said on Heart FM.

elm28 says...
8:31am Wed 6 Jan 10

eastbrook primary school in southwick is shut

Mrs Newcastle says...
8:35am Wed 6 Jan 10

Patcham House school , old london road, Patcham is closed its on their website

mickeyfinn says...
8:39am Wed 6 Jan 10

Tideway in Newhaven has decided to close and sent everyone home. Shame they made everyone struggle in before deciding to close 5 minutes after opening!

elm28 says...
8:39am Wed 6 Jan 10

glebe primary school is now shut

elm28 says...
8:39am Wed 6 Jan 10

glebe primary school is now shut

owler says...
8:42am Wed 6 Jan 10

Most schools use a text to parents scheme and we were texted at 6:37am this morning.

http://www.teachers2
parents.co.uk/

5ghayter says...
8:45am Wed 6 Jan 10

Page the Oracle wrote:
Wishful thinking I think. I've just called the school &amp; Mr Munn (Who is obviously related to Roald Amundesn) says that they are open!!
I reckon they'll be home by lunch! Still the only school so far marked as OPEN!! Just give in and let the kids warm up!!

elm28 says...
8:45am Wed 6 Jan 10

glebe only just txt'd

dogs-ball says...
9:02am Wed 6 Jan 10

All B&Hove buses have now been withdrawn until further notice as of 8.30am

Zachie150 says...
9:07am Wed 6 Jan 10

Eastbourne Tecnology College has closed due to health and safety issues.

jsuk2000 says...
9:13am Wed 6 Jan 10

St Mary Magdalen Primary, Brighton open. However may close later.

davyboy says...
9:56am Wed 6 Jan 10

all schools in abingdon are closed too!!!!

jsuk2000 says...
10:06am Wed 6 Jan 10

St Mary Magdalen RC Primary now closed!!!!

MarcoPolo says...
10:45am Wed 6 Jan 10

I'm at work and all three Brighton College schools OPEN. Why so many closures? Shameful.

uslot says...
10:46am Wed 6 Jan 10

Shoreham academy doesnt use the text system,weve never had a text when the school has been closed due to snow.

Glebe are now shut,after 2 phone calls to the school and being told they were open they decided to shut it when the parents arrived with the kids.

someone000 says...
10:56am Wed 6 Jan 10

Buckingham Park Primary School in Shoreham by Sea will be closing at 1.00, just been alerted by text message from the school.

marcus aurelius says...
11:04am Wed 6 Jan 10

Chichester College is closed

Mrs Reasonable says...
11:30am Wed 6 Jan 10

Brighton and Hove High School (both Junior in Radinden Manor Road (Hove) and the Senior in Montpelier Road are OPEN.

As is Brighton College.

Txa says...
12:55pm Wed 6 Jan 10

SCHOOLS TAKE NOTE PLEASE; it will be really, really, helpful if you could inform the media/us (parents/carers) as early as possible in the morning (say between 6.00-6.30am), so we could organize ourselves earlier (pack-lunches, uniforms, walking to school, etc.) to arrive on time. Thank you very much.

Claude Back says...
1:40pm Wed 6 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
I'm at work and all three Brighton College schools OPEN. Why so many closures? Shameful.
You haven't got a clue, have you of the difficulties in deciding whether to keep a school open or not? There are so many regulations to comply with for one and you would probably be the first to moan if your little darling was injured either at school or trying to get there.
It's shameful alright....that you have no sense.

ssilkystone says...
2:41pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Claude Back wrote:
MarcoPolo wrote: I'm at work and all three Brighton College schools OPEN. Why so many closures? Shameful.
You haven't got a clue, have you of the difficulties in deciding whether to keep a school open or not? There are so many regulations to comply with for one and you would probably be the first to moan if your little darling was injured either at school or trying to get there. It's shameful alright....that you have no sense.
I presume you are a teacher Claude, it would be helpful if all workers had the same understanding employers, sadly a lot will loss pay for today, having a reduced service at schools with those teachers able to walk looking after bigger classes of those kids close enough to walk also, anyway have a good day or days off, time to build another snow man.

Mrs Newcastle says...
4:00pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Patcham House school, from their website THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2010: The school will be closed to students because of a gas leak. We will be in contact with Parents about when students will able to return.

The school is OPEN to Staff.
.

MarcoPolo says...
4:37pm Wed 6 Jan 10

I fully understand the regulations. Schools, in fact, have no legal responsibility for what happens outside of the school gates. I have kids at home today and out in the streets (with thousands of other kids) and don't see the health and safety problem there. Schools are all too ready to down tools - twice in just a few weeks so far. Why are the private schools open? Because they are run for the benefit of the students, not the teachers.

lisjona says...
4:37pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Downs infant closed tomorrow
Busy week gone out the window !!

anjana says...
5:53pm Wed 6 Jan 10

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Pre-school will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday 7th January)

buny8 says...
8:25pm Wed 6 Jan 10

does anyone know if st mary magdalen primary in brighton will be open tmrw (thurs)?

vicky464 says...
8:46pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Does anybody know if Hove Park school in Hove will be open on Thursday? So I can make any necessary arrangements. Thanx

markymark563 says...
9:51pm Wed 6 Jan 10

vicky464 wrote:
Does anybody know if Hove Park school in Hove will be open on Thursday? So I can make any necessary arrangements. Thanx
Decision early Thursday morning apparently

ssilkystone says...
11:29pm Wed 6 Jan 10

We must remember that teachers have kids as well, what with all the schools closed they also can not go to work because they also need to look after the kids, remember they are key workers and deserve respect as such.

jsuk2000 says...
12:37am Thu 7 Jan 10

buny8 wrote:
does anyone know if st mary magdalen primary in brighton will be open tmrw (thurs)?
I doubt it, if St Pauls, and Middle Street are closed it will also be (ie nearby schools!).

pun master says...
6:32am Thu 7 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
I fully understand the regulations. Schools, in fact, have no legal responsibility for what happens outside of the school gates. I have kids at home today and out in the streets (with thousands of other kids) and don't see the health and safety problem there. Schools are all too ready to down tools - twice in just a few weeks so far. Why are the private schools open? Because they are run for the benefit of the students, not the teachers.
1. Many of the schools are shut because there are no buses running and therefore a significantly reduced number of students.

2. There are too many parents ready to sue too quickly if their child were to slip inside the school premises, get hit by a snowball in school premises, get skewered by a falling icicle, etc, so schools are never going to take the risk of a single student getting harmed when we live in one of the most litigious countries in the world now.

3. We rarely get snow, relatively speaking, why not let the kids have the time off to enjoy it anyway...?

jagiwatch says...
6:55am Thu 7 Jan 10

HOVE PARK - VALLEY CAMPUS CLOSED THURSDAY 7TH JAN

Zachie150 says...
7:33am Thu 7 Jan 10

EASTBOURNE TECNOLOGY COLLEGE IS CLOSED 7TH OF JANUARY 2010

uslot says...
7:37am Thu 7 Jan 10

glebe primary school southwick and shoreham academy are both closed again today 7/01/10

marcus aurelius says...
7:53am Thu 7 Jan 10

Chichester College is closed, Thursday 7th January

kayotic says...
7:53am Thu 7 Jan 10

I have heard that Balfour Junior is open despite every other school on that campus being closed. I don't know what the head is trying to prove, but he isrisking the limbs of his staff who are battling to get in to work.

Fight Back says...
9:01am Thu 7 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
I fully understand the regulations. Schools, in fact, have no legal responsibility for what happens outside of the school gates. I have kids at home today and out in the streets (with thousands of other kids) and don't see the health and safety problem there. Schools are all too ready to down tools - twice in just a few weeks so far. Why are the private schools open? Because they are run for the benefit of the students, not the teachers.
Windlesham School isn't open and is a private school !

Security phrase ( I kid you not ! ) - many-open

MarcoPolo says...
12:32pm Thu 7 Jan 10

1. Never yet heard of a parent who would sue over snow. Parents are not litigant ogres and are not ready to sue schools when kids slip in playground - that's just a convenient excuse used by educational staff for closing schools.

2. Sure, some teachers and students may not make it in but that's no reason to close the school as most students live in the catchment areas and can easily walk to their school. Their grounds are currently packed with students playing in the snow! Many teachers, if not all, can also get in.

ssilkystone says...
2:10pm Thu 7 Jan 10

I think the ral problem is not the teachers and there caring employers willing to pay them for time off in these severe condition, the real problem is those uncaring employers who will with hold pay and even use it against staff in the bradford points system in any sickness policy, one question to the heads of these schools will you be ensuring those canteen staff that are employed by contractors are paid for forced closure, then there is the agency worker only paid when in attendance.

ssilkystone says...
2:17pm Thu 7 Jan 10

kayotic wrote:
I have heard that Balfour Junior is open despite every other school on that campus being closed. I don't know what the head is trying to prove, but he isrisking the limbs of his staff who are battling to get in to work.
Are you serious Kayotic, I bet the canteen staff are gratefull as unlike you they proberly do not get paid on days off, the question should be is why the other schools closed if balfour opened with a reduced service with local kids and local teachers, anyone know how those emergency key workers with kids cope when the schools are closed, or is that a stupid question given the fact that teacher are also key workers.

pun master says...
3:39pm Thu 7 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
1. Never yet heard of a parent who would sue over snow. Parents are not litigant ogres and are not ready to sue schools when kids slip in playground - that's just a convenient excuse used by educational staff for closing schools.

2. Sure, some teachers and students may not make it in but that's no reason to close the school as most students live in the catchment areas and can easily walk to their school. Their grounds are currently packed with students playing in the snow! Many teachers, if not all, can also get in.
I am a teacher, and believe you me I would rather be at work as I am going stir crazy at home, although managing to do some work from home.

Most parents would not sue, but there are a few who would and local authorities, not schools themselves, will not be prepared to take that risk...

simonandrewuk says...
4:19pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Lazy! Get back to Work! And get those horrible kids off the street!

souly66 says...
5:04pm Thu 7 Jan 10

why are some of the schools leaving it till the morning to say whether the school is closed, its a real pain when parents need to organise care or job arrangments. Fair enough if it was clearing up but with the forcasts saying more on the way just let us know earlier

MarcoPolo says...
5:28pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Local Authorities are not making the decisions here - it's the Headteacher and senior staff. I don't believe for one minute that ANY parent would sue, and even if they did, they'd stand no chance of winning. It's a scare story by the educational establishment. Businesses aren't closing, and presumable cutomers could sue. I've just been up past my local secondary school - the grounds are full of kids playing in the snow, the roads are clear and every shop and business in the area is open.

lisjona says...
7:16pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Downs infant closed tomorrow just seen on the website darn snow/ice! fed up of being indoors..

charq says...
8:52pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Downs Juniors is shut AGAIN tomorrow (friday) as is City College in Pelham Street and both are saying might not reopen Monday. This is getting silly...

marcus aurelius says...
9:18pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Chichester College is closed, Friday 8th January

davyboy says...
9:54pm Thu 7 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
1. Never yet heard of a parent who would sue over snow. Parents are not litigant ogres and are not ready to sue schools when kids slip in playground - that's just a convenient excuse used by educational staff for closing schools.

2. Sure, some teachers and students may not make it in but that's no reason to close the school as most students live in the catchment areas and can easily walk to their school. Their grounds are currently packed with students playing in the snow! Many teachers, if not all, can also get in.
part of the problem is that most pupils DON'T live in the catchment areas, thanks to the councils lottery scheme. if they did live locally, then it wouldn't be too much hassle, but to get from patcham to hangleton, where the council decided your kids would go, cannot be done in these present conditions.

Mrs Reasonable says...
10:13pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Friday 8th January:
Independent Schools -


Brighton & Hove High School (senior & Junior) ** ARE BOTH OPEN **

Windlesham = closed

Brighton College = closed for prep & pre-prep but open for upper 6th & above

Mowden (Lancing Prep in Hove) = closed

Roedean Junior = closed

St Aubyns (Rottingdean) = open until 2pm

pun master says...
11:58pm Thu 7 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
Local Authorities are not making the decisions here - it's the Headteacher and senior staff. I don't believe for one minute that ANY parent would sue, and even if they did, they'd stand no chance of winning. It's a scare story by the educational establishment. Businesses aren't closing, and presumable cutomers could sue. I've just been up past my local secondary school - the grounds are full of kids playing in the snow, the roads are clear and every shop and business in the area is open.
Yes HT's are making the decisions, based on 'advice' given by the LA - they issue the guidance, then it is up to the HT to discard it if they deem it is safe to do so. The advice given from B and H CC has been to close schools given the icy conditions, the lack of bus services and the risk of injury to school children - as for having seen children in the grounds of a local secondary school, it would not have been with the permission of the school I am sure. With regards again to your comments about parents not suing, I refer you to the story earlier this week in the Argus about people queuing up to put in personal injury claims to the council over accidents on the ice prior to Christmas...

uslot says...
7:44am Fri 8 Jan 10

Glebe primary school southwick is closed again 8th january.

dogs-ball says...
7:48am Fri 8 Jan 10

With most of the local schools closed this could be a great time for a mass crack-down on headlice!

deni says...
7:53am Fri 8 Jan 10

Queens Park Primary and Nursery School closed Friday 8th

Acheron says...
8:19am Fri 8 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
1. Never yet heard of a parent who would sue over snow. Parents are not litigant ogres and are not ready to sue schools when kids slip in playground - that's just a convenient excuse used by educational staff for closing schools.

2. Sure, some teachers and students may not make it in but that's no reason to close the school as most students live in the catchment areas and can easily walk to their school. Their grounds are currently packed with students playing in the snow! Many teachers, if not all, can also get in.
Don't know the last time you were in school Marco, but many teachers would not be able to get in. Long gone are the days when teachers lived in the local area. The majority would have anything between a 20 min to over an hour drive to get to school on a normal day. Make the roads dangerous and that will be even longer. Are you suggesting that the minimal number of teachers that can walk to their school (we're normally talking single figures here) are left to supervise the whole school? If you are then you really need a reality check.

As to parents wanting to sue. Yes most won't, but all it takes is one and then a snowball effect (pardon the pun!) would take place. Why do you think that a lot of schools are reluctant to put on extra curricular trips etc.

And for the record, I'm a supply teacher, so yes I know about the system having been a full time teacher as well, and no I'm not getting paid at the moment!

Do let us know what makes you an expert on the education system. I assume it's more than the fact that you went to school!

kraftwerker says...
9:57am Fri 8 Jan 10

Head teacher at Balfour Infants couldn't make a decision whether to open up or not, and no phone calls would be taken 'til after 9. So those parents who've been told to get to work as usual would struggle with this. Not sure she thought of that. In the end, decided to not send my boy in today. Can't knock the Junior school, as Head Teacher apparently comes in from Lewes, and he was there to greet parents and children when I dropped off at 8.40 this morning...

MarcoPolo says...
10:42am Fri 8 Jan 10

7 reasons why most schools in B&H should open
I've worked in the education system for over 25 years and your so-called 'parents who sue' myth, transformed into the 'snowball effect' is exactly the sort of defensive, exaggerated response of the educational establishment. The facts of the matter are that:
1. Most roads necessary for teachers to get to work are open
2. Most businesses are open (how do their staff get in?)
3. Parents have never and would NOT sue
4. For every teacher who stays at home there's up to 60 parents, many who have to get to work, who have to make alternative arrangements for their kids.
5. Casual staff get no pay
6. 70,000 students are sitting GCSEs and A-levels next week, this prolonged action is hurting them
7. Some schools are open, mostly in private sector - how come? Doesn't this mythical law about suing apply to them?
Sure, some teachers may find it impossible to get to work, but the majority, today, would have made it in. Headteachers are risk-averse to the point of absurdity. It's a shameful example of professionals putting their own welfare above that of their job and the children they teach.

bex10 says...
11:03am Fri 8 Jan 10

Utterly ridiculous to keep the schools closed. I am having to take time off as is my partner (we are alternating days) but if we can get in why can't the teachers ? I work ina caring job and some of my folks will be getting into difficulties because of the disruption to their lives. I find this quite distressing. I am suprised teachers don't seen to feel the same way esp regards mock exams (which determine 6th form entry)and GCSEs. If the shops etc can open why not schools !

splatone says...
11:13am Fri 8 Jan 10

I'm a teacher and my school site is shut. We are all frustrated by it but all our teachers are working hard at home so we can pick things up as smoothly as possible when we get back to school. The road outside our school is on very steep slope and there is no vehicle access. There are no buses running to the school and parents I have spoken to who live close to the school have been very supportive of our decision to close. I also know personally of 2 incidents of parents suing schools due to very minor accidents on site one of which resulted in the school swimming pool being closed. Please also consider the fact that head teachers are personally criminally liable for accidents on site - they are the ones who end up in court - not the local authority. It depends on the location of your site, how far your staff live from site and is a difficult decision made on a very clear step by step process set up by the local authority. We are not all lazy and work shy.

someone000 says...
12:15pm Fri 8 Jan 10

My children are at school today in Shoreham after being closed yesterday and closing early the day before. I just want to say thankyou to all those teachers who made it in, many coming from bad areas in Brighton and elsewhere.

montgomery12 says...
12:19pm Fri 8 Jan 10

St Bernadettes and Downs still closed?RIDICULOUS!

amargi says...
12:42pm Fri 8 Jan 10

While I do appreciate that there could be danger / difficulty in teachers and pupils getting to school, businesses do not take the same risk averse approach, and so you get the situation when parents have to work out how to look after their children, either by staying at home and losing money or having to take annual leave. I did hear some lawyer on the radio saying it was the duty of parents to have emergency back up child care for these kind of situations - but what if you can't get to your back up?
I just find it really frustrating - parents are lectured about the importance of attendance, but the schools can close when there are not that many problems.
And if they are really worried about stupid litigation, then I would be quite happy to sign something promising not to sue!

Jo PP says...
1:10pm Fri 8 Jan 10

I believe Balfour Infants attendance was optional... so all you lucky people who don't have to work... you could take the option not to send the kid in. When I dropped my kid off, all classes were open with only a handful of kids in each one. I guess this is the time to see how many Balfour kids really do live within walking distance!

ssilkystone says...
4:11pm Fri 8 Jan 10

Jo PP wrote:
I believe Balfour Infants attendance was optional... so all you lucky people who don't have to work... you could take the option not to send the kid in. When I dropped my kid off, all classes were open with only a handful of kids in each one. I guess this is the time to see how many Balfour kids really do live within walking distance!
scrap the lottery system for school places, bring back catchment area only placing, its crazy to have parents in bevendean sending kids to Varndean and Kids in the catchment missing a place, other kids travel from as far away as Peacehaven, which is not even in Brighton and Hove, maybe the middleclasses would ensure that failing schools were not simply avoided but changed if little jonny had to go there.

Mrs Reasonable says...
5:01pm Fri 8 Jan 10

two schools, side by side in Hove. One a state school, one an independent school. The state one was closed, the independent one open - fine, no problems, they had excellent attendance.

Ian Edmond says...
8:43pm Fri 8 Jan 10

Hove Park website reports: "On Monday 11th January 2010 YEAR 11 students are invited to attend lessons and study sessions on the Nevill Campus, starting at 9am and finishing at 12.30pm. YEAR 12 and 13 students can attend for exams and for independent study. Students will need to bring food and drink as the canteen will be closed. Year 11 students are expected to wear uniform. The school remains closed for students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10."

bex10 says...
9:12am Sat 9 Jan 10

stringer website - closed monday and they will return pupils gradually over the week beginning with yr 11. Not sure what this means in practice.

pun master says...
9:33am Sat 9 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
7 reasons why most schools in B&amp;H should open
I've worked in the education system for over 25 years and your so-called 'parents who sue' myth, transformed into the 'snowball effect' is exactly the sort of defensive, exaggerated response of the educational establishment. The facts of the matter are that:
1. Most roads necessary for teachers to get to work are open
2. Most businesses are open (how do their staff get in?)
3. Parents have never and would NOT sue
4. For every teacher who stays at home there's up to 60 parents, many who have to get to work, who have to make alternative arrangements for their kids.
5. Casual staff get no pay
6. 70,000 students are sitting GCSEs and A-levels next week, this prolonged action is hurting them
7. Some schools are open, mostly in private sector - how come? Doesn't this mythical law about suing apply to them?
Sure, some teachers may find it impossible to get to work, but the majority, today, would have made it in. Headteachers are risk-averse to the point of absurdity. It's a shameful example of professionals putting their own welfare above that of their job and the children they teach.
1. It's not really to do with the teachers roads, it's to do with the buses; certainly in the case of our school, 85% of students bussed in, no bus services to our school

2. Businesses don't have to deal with children's welfare

3. As said before most parents wouldn't, but the very small few who possibly would make it, sadly, a consideration

4. It's NOT the teachers staying away; we're parents too, we are not allowed into school even without students; LA advice

5. Accepted

6. It's a national issue, but again children's welfare comes first

7. Independent schools are free of public responsibility that state schools have to adhere to, via Government and Local Authority, and I certainly don't buy this Government line of "It's up to schools and HT's on a local level - more examples of Government washing their hands - if a student were to have a serious accident or worse, you can bet your bottom dollar Balls would be first out criticising schools"

The main concern of any HT, (and anyone else I would argue) has to be the welfare of children. If taking over cautious steps to achieve that is something that has to happen, then so be it. I would rather be inconvenienced that have my children put at unnecessary risk.

MarcoPolo says...
1:59pm Sat 9 Jan 10

It is misleading to say that the lack of buses is to blame. First, the bus services to all of my local schools were operative on Friday and the vast majority of pupils DO NOT take the bus to school, as they're in catchments. I don't deny that some schools have a problem here, but the majority don't.

Businesses do have legal rsponsibilities, just like schools. In any case why did Balfour open (Headteacher came from Lewes) when all others closed?

To lay the blame for school closures first at litigious parents, then secondly at Local Authorities, is profoundly misleading. Both of these excuses are trotted out endlessly, but neither have any basis in fact. It is the 'Headteacher', usually with the leadership team, who makes the decision, not the Local Authority. This is shown by the fact that in some cases a school is open right next to one that is closed.

Not true that private schools are somehow free from the legal responsibilities of state schools - the same laws (litigation was used for closing schools) apply to both.

Parents see the welfare of their children being best served by them attending school. I would rather have my children at school than have you decide that they may slip in the playground. They're out there in the snow four hours every day, rather than being in school - that's increasing, not decreasing, the risk of accidents.

pun master says...
3:29pm Sat 9 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
It is misleading to say that the lack of buses is to blame. First, the bus services to all of my local schools were operative on Friday and the vast majority of pupils DO NOT take the bus to school, as they're in catchments. I don't deny that some schools have a problem here, but the majority don't.

Businesses do have legal rsponsibilities, just like schools. In any case why did Balfour open (Headteacher came from Lewes) when all others closed?

To lay the blame for school closures first at litigious parents, then secondly at Local Authorities, is profoundly misleading. Both of these excuses are trotted out endlessly, but neither have any basis in fact. It is the 'Headteacher', usually with the leadership team, who makes the decision, not the Local Authority. This is shown by the fact that in some cases a school is open right next to one that is closed.

Not true that private schools are somehow free from the legal responsibilities of state schools - the same laws (litigation was used for closing schools) apply to both.

Parents see the welfare of their children being best served by them attending school. I would rather have my children at school than have you decide that they may slip in the playground. They're out there in the snow four hours every day, rather than being in school - that's increasing, not decreasing, the risk of accidents.
It's not misleading - the bus services to my school were all cancelled every day from Wed to Fri. Again, I am not laying the blame at the door of litigious parents, I am simply stating the fact that there have been cases of parents making claims against schools for accidents; there was even a case at my school during the snow last February, so it is inevitable that schools, who absolutely do take decisions with LA approval based on their advice - I know this for a fact, so this is not misleading, will be over-cautious when making decisions. And again, if parents choose to let their children take the risk in the snow, that is absolutely their right. Businesses do have responsibilities of course, but again, not specifically with the welfare of children as the priority. I state again, I am a teacher, my colleagues and I have been in communication, we are all frustrated, and want our school to open, but absolutely understand the reasons why it isn't...

MarcoPolo says...
4:16pm Sun 10 Jan 10

The bus services to YOUR school may have been off, but that is not true for many other schools in Brighton and Hove. The majority of teachers in schools do not take the bus, they walk or drive to school - and that was possible to all of my local schools.

I repeat that the LA did not advise all schools to close. That was left to the Headteachers. That is a fact.

There are no recorded claims of parents suing a school for a 'slip in the snow' accident. This is a 'myth' that largely exists in the minds of teachers.

pun master says...
5:58pm Sun 10 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
The bus services to YOUR school may have been off, but that is not true for many other schools in Brighton and Hove. The majority of teachers in schools do not take the bus, they walk or drive to school - and that was possible to all of my local schools.

I repeat that the LA did not advise all schools to close. That was left to the Headteachers. That is a fact.

There are no recorded claims of parents suing a school for a 'slip in the snow' accident. This is a 'myth' that largely exists in the minds of teachers.
The LA did advise Headteachers not to open; it is officially the decision of the HT to open, but the advice given directly from the Education department at Brighton was not to open, and any Head who didn't follow this advice would more than likely concede that it would be left on their head. The issue about the bus services was not to do with teachers access, but to do with student's access; as you well know, the argument about catchment areas, certainly within B and H, is ridiculous due to the lottery. There are no recorded claims of parents suing, simply because the council settles them before they 'go legal,' to avoid additional costs. That does not mean that claims have not been made, which they have... (FOI it!!)

toryinside says...
8:04pm Sun 10 Jan 10

Health and safety liberal nonsense - send them to school and be done with it!! When I was a girl we wore wooly tights and had breakfast - whats happened to the world?

Ian Edmond says...
8:04pm Sun 10 Jan 10

As things are better than expected, Hove Park are open to students from 10.45 on Monday (both sites). Davigdor Infants and Somerhill Junior are also both open on Monday.

MarcoPolo says...
11:57pm Sun 10 Jan 10

Some schools, like Dorothy Stringer, have already decided to extend their holiday for teachers to cover a week by announcing that they'll be closed tomorrow! While others nearby are open. This is turning into a farce.

MarcoPolo says...
12:03am Mon 11 Jan 10

Some schools, like Dorothy Stringer, have already decided to extend their holiday for teachers to cover a week by announcing that they'll be closed tomorrow! While others nearby are open. This is turning into a farce.

Even Ed Balls thinks the whole thing has got out of hand:

He called on head teachers to make a "balanced decision" and not to "overstate the risks of playground slips or reduced supervision".

Political speak for, 'We've had enough of this nonsense!"

Txa says...
6:29am Mon 11 Jan 10

Today Varndean is open ONLY for year 11.

Txa says...
6:55am Mon 11 Jan 10

Hertford Infant Hollingdean is open as normal.

Hertford Junior Hollingdean will be open only if the buses are running.

hahahehe says...
10:04am Mon 11 Jan 10

carden primary is open from 1.15pm til end of school day today

cant see many going, dont think some will see point in being open two hours

Txa says...
10:38am Mon 11 Jan 10

Lets get into the idea that if thinks start keeping that way, we have to get good organize and school should remain open independently of the number of attendants(staff, children etc). In my school days and during bad weather (snow, floods etc) if some teachers couldn't attend, we were given some work to do and where the school children councillors who were responsible to keep the class in order.

MarcoPolo says...
10:39am Mon 11 Jan 10

Suppose this goes on for another two weeks, will hapless headmasters and teachers simply give up on the education of our children?

morrisdancer says...
2:55pm Mon 11 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
Suppose this goes on for another two weeks, will hapless headmasters and teachers simply give up on the education of our children?
you must have a lot of time!!!

MarcoPolo says...
4:01pm Mon 11 Jan 10

Not as much as the hundreds of teachers languishing at home.

The Brighton Bear says...
4:09pm Mon 11 Jan 10

One big holiday for the teachers.

ssilkystone says...
4:10pm Mon 11 Jan 10

Well If I was a teacher I would be very glad to go along with the health and safety issue, lots off businesses face the issue of accidents at work, but carry on as normal, 20 to 40 sacks of rock salt kept for such times would have been enough to ensure the school took measures so far as reasonably practicable, its a pity every employer was'nt tight on defining health and safety if they were then the child care nightmare most parents experienced would have been differant without employers insisting staff went in or lose pay, it's schooling our children are missing, how about reducing the school holidays by an equal amount of days to compensate!!.

The Brighton Bear says...
4:31pm Mon 11 Jan 10

ssilkystone wrote:
Well If I was a teacher I would be very glad to go along with the health and safety issue, lots off businesses face the issue of accidents at work, but carry on as normal, 20 to 40 sacks of rock salt kept for such times would have been enough to ensure the school took measures so far as reasonably practicable, its a pity every employer was'nt tight on defining health and safety if they were then the child care nightmare most parents experienced would have been differant without employers insisting staff went in or lose pay, it's schooling our children are missing, how about reducing the school holidays by an equal amount of days to compensate!!.
Quite right too. Far too much holiday time for teachers anyway.

Txa says...
4:40pm Mon 11 Jan 10

The Brighton Bear wrote:
One big holiday for the teachers.
One extended holidays for the children too. One off does not damage anybody.

pun master says...
8:57pm Mon 11 Jan 10

The Brighton Bear wrote:
ssilkystone wrote:
Well If I was a teacher I would be very glad to go along with the health and safety issue, lots off businesses face the issue of accidents at work, but carry on as normal, 20 to 40 sacks of rock salt kept for such times would have been enough to ensure the school took measures so far as reasonably practicable, its a pity every employer was'nt tight on defining health and safety if they were then the child care nightmare most parents experienced would have been differant without employers insisting staff went in or lose pay, it's schooling our children are missing, how about reducing the school holidays by an equal amount of days to compensate!!.
Quite right too. Far too much holiday time for teachers anyway.
What the hell do any of you know anyway? If you had the slightest understanding of child welfare or the system you would know full well that it has nothing to do with the teachers. You might also want to investigate how many teachers provided work materials via VLE's, email etc for their students, and used the time to ensure that the work missed could be built into other lessons in order to catch up. Muppets.

brighton born and bred says...
10:29am Tue 12 Jan 10

Schools are not a source of free childcare - they close when they are forced to. I send my children to school so that they can get an education not so that i don't have to pay for childcare. It is also the responsibilty of each parent to ensure that their child studies at home. When a school is forced to shut - what is wrong with you lot setting work for your child at home, rather than complaing about the system?

MarcoPolo says...
10:51am Tue 12 Jan 10

The vast majority of teachers did not provide specific materials and tasks for students while they were off for 6 days. This largely amounts to simple exhortations to students to do some 'revision'.

Teachers are not 'forced to' close schools. Many, including the minister Ed Balls, believe that they rush to early to close schools on the basis of myths (suing parents, Ofsted with punish absenteeism etc). It is Headteachers who close schools, not Local Authorities. That's why some stayed open.

There was no need for the majority of schools to be closed yesterday. The roads were clear, buses running and weather fine.

The Brighton Bear says...
11:26am Tue 12 Jan 10

pun master wrote:
The Brighton Bear wrote:
ssilkystone wrote: Well If I was a teacher I would be very glad to go along with the health and safety issue, lots off businesses face the issue of accidents at work, but carry on as normal, 20 to 40 sacks of rock salt kept for such times would have been enough to ensure the school took measures so far as reasonably practicable, its a pity every employer was'nt tight on defining health and safety if they were then the child care nightmare most parents experienced would have been differant without employers insisting staff went in or lose pay, it's schooling our children are missing, how about reducing the school holidays by an equal amount of days to compensate!!.
Quite right too. Far too much holiday time for teachers anyway.
What the hell do any of you know anyway? If you had the slightest understanding of child welfare or the system you would know full well that it has nothing to do with the teachers. You might also want to investigate how many teachers provided work materials via VLE's, email etc for their students, and used the time to ensure that the work missed could be built into other lessons in order to catch up. Muppets.
10 minutes knocking out a couple of e-mails isn't exactly a days work!


Still a teachers normal 5 hour working day doesn't amount to much either!

pun master says...
2:20pm Tue 12 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
The vast majority of teachers did not provide specific materials and tasks for students while they were off for 6 days. This largely amounts to simple exhortations to students to do some 'revision'. Teachers are not 'forced to' close schools. Many, including the minister Ed Balls, believe that they rush to early to close schools on the basis of myths (suing parents, Ofsted with punish absenteeism etc). It is Headteachers who close schools, not Local Authorities. That's why some stayed open. There was no need for the majority of schools to be closed yesterday. The roads were clear, buses running and weather fine.
And where's your evidence for the amount of work set? Why was there no need to shut the schools yesterday? Did you actually go to all the schools and have a look around? And brightonbear I would a) like to know what you do for a living and b) extend an invitation for you to come and spend a week in school working alongside teachers. The really boring old claim of a 9 - 3 day for teachers is really tedious, untrue and frankly ignorant...

pun master says...
3:10pm Tue 12 Jan 10

MarcoPolo wrote:
The vast majority of teachers did not provide specific materials and tasks for students while they were off for 6 days. This largely amounts to simple exhortations to students to do some 'revision'. Teachers are not 'forced to' close schools. Many, including the minister Ed Balls, believe that they rush to early to close schools on the basis of myths (suing parents, Ofsted with punish absenteeism etc). It is Headteachers who close schools, not Local Authorities. That's why some stayed open. There was no need for the majority of schools to be closed yesterday. The roads were clear, buses running and weather fine.
...and also the comment made was not that teachers are forced to close schools, rather that the schools themselves have to close. Read the posts properlly. And as for your constant adoration and faith in everything that snivelling creep Balls spits out, then you are clearly more ignorant than even I gave you credit for...

The Brighton Bear says...
7:57pm Tue 12 Jan 10

Oh dear pun master, seems as though someone as hit a nerve! By the way you do need to check your spelling. (just in case YOU are too ignorant check the PROPERLLY spelling).

pun master says...
9:50pm Tue 12 Jan 10

The Brighton Bear wrote:
Oh dear pun master, seems as though someone as hit a nerve! By the way you do need to check your spelling. (just in case YOU are too ignorant check the PROPERLLY spelling).
Yes, hit a nerve because I know exactly how hard teachers work, although we continue to be misrepresented and misunderstood by ignorant members of the public. If coming up with a spelling error is the best you can do, then I salute you. You must have had a good teacher at school...

EJC says...
2:31pm Wed 13 Jan 10

I would like to thank Mr Gee the Headmaster, Mr Munn the Caretaker, all the Teachers, PA's, Office staff, Caterers, Cleaners, Parents, Children etc. of ALDRINGTON SCHOOL who have ensured a smooth running of the school during adverse weather. Many thanks too for the volunteers who came on Monday to clear the pavements.

Tonsim says...
7:35pm Wed 13 Jan 10

It seems to me that there is a simple solution to school closures. Do what other employers do and tell the staff they will not get paid if they close the school. They will soon find a way to keep the school open.


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