Schools to close tomorrow
Tuesday 12th March 2013, 2:17PM GMT.
Forest School in the snow earlier today. It will remain closed tomorrow, along with other States schools and the College of FE. (Picture by Nigel Baudains)
All States schools and the College of Further Education will remain closed tomorrow, it has been announced.
The Education Department says its decision follows adice from the Police, States Works and others about the state of the roads, pavements and, in particular, dangerous trees and debris still littering most parts of the Island.
‘These conditions are unprecedented,’ said the department in a statement.
Although some low-lying schools might be clear tomorrow, the department said it believed that ‘an early, consistent message out to parents/staff now is a better solution and will allow all sufficient time to plan for tomorrow.’
The situation regarding opening on Thursday will be reviewed tomorrow lunchtime at a meeting between the department and the emergency and other services.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Saturday 25 May
- Plane crash pollution
- The Week - Action man Ben Fogle
- Yvonne Ozanne
- Herm Beer Festival
- Sport - 50 days to Island Games
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
Well I think this is the right decision. I used to walk to school in the snow which was fine back then, we didn’t have so many cars on the road. So what if you slip on the pavement, you pick yourself up and carry on. It would be fine walking if everybody else did. But when you have so many people trying it in their cars, sliding about, that’s what makes it dangerous.
In summary its not really the snow, ice and slippery pavements that are the problem for walkers, its cars and car drivers.
Report abuse
Are you sure you want to close the schools when you don’t know the wheather tomorrow.
Report abuse
On previous days the general complaint has been the length of time Education have taken to make a decision. They’ve evidently listened to the public and acted appropriately, giving people plenty time to make plans.
As for the decision itself they’ll get moaned at whatever they do!
Report abuse
Must have had some emergency management training. Which part of RED alert did they not understand I wonder.
Report abuse
I cant believe Blanchelande College is open tomorrow despite being on a high up parish. Good luck to us lot attempting to get to school tomorrow.
Report abuse
There’s no reason why Blanchelande shouldn’t close either. I know that they are an independent institution, yet anyone with sense would know that it is a good idea to close it if weather conditions are poor. It is in this situation that I am somewhat more pragmatic.
Report abuse
….at least one school is showing it’s not part of the nannie state,and following the real world.For goodness sake come out of your “cotten wool lives”,put on the warm clothes,boots and treat it as an adventure,like we HAD to in the old days, and loved it.Get a grip!
Report abuse
It’s not.
Report abuse
What are you on about Emmy, they have said Blanchelande is also closed.
Report abuse
CAR FREE
Walk to school teachers and 11+ pupils.Exercise is good for you.
I wonder if us tax payers are paying the public servants their wages while sitting at home relaxing?
Report abuse
Better be safe than sorry, but as usual it’s tails they lose and heads they lose.They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Report abuse
I thought if you can afford to go to Blancelande you automatically get a big 4×4??
Given that when i was out and about in a little Jimny , most people cannot handle the big 4x4s snow or not…
Report abuse
The thing is … Monday things were bad in the south, clear up north, getting worse and forecast to get at lot worse everywhere and they opened.
Today things are bad in the south, clear up north, improving by the hour and forecast to get much better and they close …..
It smacks to me of a knee jerk reaction to the criticism of Monday and another failure to asses the actual conditions and consider all the advice and information available.
Never mind, my daughter enjoyed our trip to work to check everything was running fine, and our brief shopping trip. At least today we only drove past the totally accessible and snow free school once ….
Report abuse
Having been quick to criticise Education for Monday’s fiasco I feel I should praise them for taking an early and sensible decision yesterday as well as issuing a comprehensive statement explaining their decision.
Yes, most main roads have improved today but who could have known that the melt away would be so swift.
I would much rather they err on the side of caution for the safety of all concerned.
As to those who worry about their children losing another day of education, how about spending some time today teaching them yourself if you’re really that worried?
In reality, a couple of days out of the classroom won’t make much difference in the greater scheme of things.
Report abuse
I am wondering if teaching staff will have these three day deducted from their pay, and if not why have they not had to attend school and do lesson prep etc, everyone else who has not been to work, either has to take it as holiday or make the time up?
They are adults and like everyone else could have walked to work!
Yes they choose this job, but they get long enough off as it is.
Report abuse
What’s to say that the teachers didn’t do prep work at home?
Also, what if they had children home from school due to the school closures?
Yes, we do have to have the days deducted from our holiday but you chose the job you’re in!
Report abuse
So form you final comment the days are deducted from holidays, so that means there are new term times to given to us all, this had better be done quickly or it will incurr extra charges for us who are going on holiday in school holidays.
Only if the education dept have to save so much money I cannot understand why they are paying staff for not working, I am aware of teachers who have treated these as days off and certainly have not been involved in any educational work.
Report abuse