UPDATE: Snow and ice continues to cause some school closures across Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Marshfield Primary School: Staff unable to get to school

Killinghall Primary School: Due to icy conditions school will be closed.

I could understand schools being closed yesterday as there was pretty deep snow, but I can't understand how 2 schools adjacent to the ring road could possibly need to close. It's not like they're on the moors!
I drove around the ring road at 615 and it was fine so I fail to see how staff would be 'unable to get to school'

angry bradfordian wrote:
Marshfield Primary School: Staff unable to get to school

Killinghall Primary School: Due to icy conditions school will be closed.

I could understand schools being closed yesterday as there was pretty deep snow, but I can't understand how 2 schools adjacent to the ring road could possibly need to close. It's not like they're on the moors!
I drove around the ring road at 615 and it was fine so I fail to see how staff would be 'unable to get to school'

Depends on where the teachers live. Can't see them living close tbh.

thatsnotmyname wrote:

angry bradfordian wrote:
Marshfield Primary School: Staff unable to get to school

Killinghall Primary School: Due to icy conditions school will be closed.

I could understand schools being closed yesterday as there was pretty deep snow, but I can't understand how 2 schools adjacent to the ring road could possibly need to close. It's not like they're on the moors!
I drove around the ring road at 615 and it was fine so I fail to see how staff would be 'unable to get to school'

Depends on where the teachers live. Can't see them living close tbh.

Why don't the teaching unions be honest and upfront? There's a culture among a large section of teachers to down tools for any reason.

thatsnotmyname wrote:

angry bradfordian wrote:
Marshfield Primary School: Staff unable to get to school

Killinghall Primary School: Due to icy conditions school will be closed.

I could understand schools being closed yesterday as there was pretty deep snow, but I can't understand how 2 schools adjacent to the ring road could possibly need to close. It's not like they're on the moors!
I drove around the ring road at 615 and it was fine so I fail to see how staff would be 'unable to get to school'

Depends on where the teachers live. Can't see them living close tbh.

You're probably right. The actual reason for closure should be 'staff unable to get to school EASILY'

It may not be possible for them to drive to school but I had to walk and then use public transport to get to work yesterday.
However, I wouldn't have been paid if I hadn't got there so I suppose I had a lot more incentive to get there!

quote from similar story
"fears for the health and safety of their pupils"
absolute madness, ooohhh, someone might slip in the snow!!, better shut the school for the day .

Are all these open today or tomorrow the 23 rd? Confused.

Where is is the Bulldog spirit these days?
when I went to school many Moons ago I can never recall having time off for snow!
Most of the teachers in those days were ex forces and probably ex WW2 Vets so a little snow "Easy Bro"

It is very easy to be critical when schools arte closed, but remember, there is more to health and safety than simply slipping on the snow! Some of our primary schools in Bradford are populated by almost double the number of kids that they were intended for. This brings additional risks when it comes to days like this. Also, the fact that parents cant often park safely to drop off in normal weather says a lot about risk on days like this.
Allanicho, in your day all the kids and teachers probably lived locally, ie within walking distance, and that is simply not the case today. What is better, to close, allowing parents to try and plan for the day, or to have to close early because not enough staff arrive on time to safely function?

Teachers dont want to down tools at the drop of a hat, but they do want, like all of us to get to and from work safely.

Lots of comments about how travelling around yesterday wasnt a problem. add the usual school run traffic to the equation and see whta it would have been like!

Old Dave wrote:
It is very easy to be critical when schools arte closed, but remember, there is more to health and safety than simply slipping on the snow! Some of our primary schools in Bradford are populated by almost double the number of kids that they were intended for. This brings additional risks when it comes to days like this. Also, the fact that parents cant often park safely to drop off in normal weather says a lot about risk on days like this.
Allanicho, in your day all the kids and teachers probably lived locally, ie within walking distance, and that is simply not the case today. What is better, to close, allowing parents to try and plan for the day, or to have to close early because not enough staff arrive on time to safely function?

Teachers dont want to down tools at the drop of a hat, but they do want, like all of us to get to and from work safely.

Lots of comments about how travelling around yesterday wasnt a problem. add the usual school run traffic to the equation and see whta it would have been like!

I agree that teachers don't live within walking distance any more, but surely they have a responsibility to choose a workplace/home where they can get between when the weather is bad.

It was certainly something I had to take into account last time I bought a house because I wouldn't get paid if I didn't get to work.

I agree to a point angrybradfordian, but lets put it another way: HOw many people were late for work yesterday? In most jobs this would be ok wouldnt it? But if a Head teacher opened a school for 500 kids, and only two staff were there at opening time, would this be safe?

the idea that most schools have had today is a good one. Get staff in at normal time, or as close as they can, then open at 10am to kids.

We are talking about 2-3 days a year where schools dont open at all.

There seem to be a lot of people at "work" who still manage to rant and rave on the T&A website all day abouth things which, let's be honest, none of us have any intimate knowledge of or the foggiest idea about all of the considerations that come into play when making these decisions.

*
I wonder how many employers know that, although they won't pay for people to sit at home in the snow, they are paying for them to sit at their desks looking at the internet all day, taking their stress out on others under the guise of a keyboard warrior - interesting.

If teachers lived closer to the schools in which they worked then maybe more schools would stay open.When i was a kid in the 80s my school only closed once,and that was at lunchtime.Then again you used to see your teachers in the local community becuse they LIVED their.nowadays teachers tend to lived in the leafy suburbs and patronise bradford with their presence and then phone in at the first drop of a snowflake.Grow a pair and get into work,snowfall isnt an excuse for an unofficial day off.Most of the parents have to get into work so teachers should.Lazy ex student types probably watching homes under the hammer. Schools should only employ teachers who live within 5 miles of their school,that way they can always walk.What example are they setting to the pupils.lazy.”

jim75 wrote:
If teachers lived closer to the schools in which they worked then maybe more schools would stay open.When i was a kid in the 80s my school only closed once,and that was at lunchtime.Then again you used to see your teachers in the local community becuse they LIVED their.nowadays teachers tend to lived in the leafy suburbs and patronise bradford with their presence and then phone in at the first drop of a snowflake.Grow a pair and get into work,snowfall isnt an excuse for an unofficial day off.Most of the parents have to get into work so teachers should.Lazy ex student types probably watching homes under the hammer. Schools should only employ teachers who live within 5 miles of their school,that way they can always walk.What example are they setting to the pupils.lazy.”

What a loads of ****...so schools should hire teachers dependent on where they live rather than how good they are?

Anyway maybe if there were more asian teachers, schools like Marshfield would have teachers that lived less far away.

loftyme wrote:
quote from similar story
"fears for the health and safety of their pupils"
absolute madness, ooohhh, someone might slip in the snow!!, better shut the school for the day .

All schools in Queensbury open and the school buses have managed to transport all pupils safely. Makes me laugh when you look at the location of the schools which are closed. If there was ever a concern for Health and Safety I would think Queensbury schools would be at the top of the list.

Just re-reading the notices for closure; neither Killinghall or Bankfoot cite staff difficulties getting into school for their closure but dangerous and hazardous conditions - I would assume that means on the site itself and therefore the consideration in closing is for students more so than staff.

*
Similarly, Marshfield cites burst pipes for its closure, which I assume would definitely affect staff and student access to the site, not to mention their wellbeing were they to be in school - difficult to operate a school with no water or other utilities.

*
On that basis, every sinlge point on this thread so far is irrelevant - what have those school closures you all refer to got to do with the staff; nothing if the notices for closure are correct.

*
Does anyone who's posted so far want to address that or are you all busy at "work"?

A Queensbury school closed yesterday afternoon, which would mean parents would have received a phone call or a text to come and collect their children. Most schools over the Bradford District are open today. Don’t believe the hype!

Richard Littlejohns column in todays
Daily Mail covers this subject admirably !

By schools being closed the pupils will have more accidents etc by being out of school.

Craig wrote:
There seem to be a lot of people at "work" who still manage to rant and rave on the T&A website all day abouth things which, let's be honest, none of us have any intimate knowledge of or the foggiest idea about all of the considerations that come into play when making these decisions.

*
I wonder how many employers know that, although they won't pay for people to sit at home in the snow, they are paying for them to sit at their desks looking at the internet all day, taking their stress out on others under the guise of a keyboard warrior - interesting.

Steady now they'll start getting all defensive and start telling you little tales about how they are working freelance so it's only themselves that they are robbing. They are after all doing the right thing and working hard which entitles them to an opinion on anything and everything which they will openly state they believe the unemployed that they have read about in the Daily Mail should be denied. They will question how you can afford an internet connection whilst at the same time the government makes it impossible for a JSA recipient to function without one. They will argue that if you want to spend all day posting an opinion on the internet you should darn well be working for it. It's amazing how quiet it goes on here after 5. It makes you wonder what these hard workers actually do? It's obviously making them much happier people.

We'd be really up the junction if essential workers such as NHS & energy production staff showed the same can don't attitude as teachers.

'Can't do' would have worked better if you were trying to make some clever point and, stated that way, would actually make sense, even if the sentiment itself is baloney.

Goodness gracious me!

Most of the primary schools listed as 'partial 'closure' will open at 10.00am which seems fair enough to let staff arrive safely. As regards other establishments and closure, it is nigh impossible to guarantee the safety of hundreds of pupils at lunch time when the outside environment is packed ice. You cannot keep in 1500+ pupils at lunch time!

Bingley Grammar School....closed due to school site being hazardous......what the bl**dy H"ll is the caretaker doing? surely it is not difficult to get some sand shovelled down? When I was at secondary school, when we arrived on the school premises we were handed shovels and sweeping brushes and told to get on with assisting the caretaker to clear the road and the paths within the school boundaries. As for the teachers not being able to get in, then I suggest that they move nearer the school at which they teach, like our teachers did in the 60's. I am afraid that with some of todays teachers it is any excuse to avoid going to work....it should be no attendace, no pay....that would soon get them in.

if you keep kids off school you get fined but teachers stay at home you have to take day off work to look after them so no pay.sounds like a fine either way!
time to make schools pay fines for closing, see what happens then!!

So it's taken two day's for teacher to become the new workshy making excuses not to work. Get it all out you hate filled people don't hold back, tell those idle teachers what you think of them. If you ask me they've conspired to make it snow.

RollandSmoke wrote:
So it's taken two day's for teacher to become the new workshy making excuses not to work. Get it all out you hate filled people don't hold back, tell those idle teachers what you think of them. If you ask me they've conspired to make it snow.

LoL, I do hope you found your cat, if not I wish you do soon.

RollandSmoke wrote:
So it's taken two day's for teacher to become the new workshy making excuses not to work. Get it all out you hate filled people don't hold back, tell those idle teachers what you think of them. If you ask me they've conspired to make it snow.

Why are people 'hate-filled' just because they have a different view to yourself?

Why aren't you 'hate-filled' when commenting on changes to benefits or anything that Cameron & his cronies get up to?

Chillum Bantam wrote:

RollandSmoke wrote:
So it's taken two day's for teacher to become the new workshy making excuses not to work. Get it all out you hate filled people don't hold back, tell those idle teachers what you think of them. If you ask me they've conspired to make it snow.

LoL, I do hope you found your cat, if not I wish you do soon.

Still no sign but thank you for enquiring

angry bradfordian wrote:

RollandSmoke wrote:
So it's taken two day's for teacher to become the new workshy making excuses not to work. Get it all out you hate filled people don't hold back, tell those idle teachers what you think of them. If you ask me they've conspired to make it snow.

Why are people 'hate-filled' just because they have a different view to yourself?

Why aren't you 'hate-filled' when commenting on changes to benefits or anything that Cameron & his cronies get up to?

Do you think I should be? Do you think I've a right to be? Am I not targeting those responsible rather than the worker who follows orders and abides by the decisions of superiours?. The decisions politicains make effect my everyday life rather than inconveniencing me for a couple of days. Hating them however would achieve nothing and I prefer to point out their failings of which there are many. Feel free to highlight any successes you can think of.

All we seem to hear are those dreaded words "Health & Safety" I think I am right in thinking that as from April there is a ban on the "no win no fee" scenario which has blighted the country for so long now. Maybe next winter when there is some snow there will be less of a fear by school heads or whoever about being sued and they might just suggest that staff set off for work a bit earlier.

RollandSmoke wrote:
So it's taken two day's for teacher to become the new workshy making excuses not to work. Get it all out you hate filled people don't hold back, tell those idle teachers what you think of them. If you ask me they've conspired to make it snow.

we did conspire to make it snow -- we were doing a snow dance sunday night lol

thatsnotmyname wrote:

jim75 wrote:
If teachers lived closer to the schools in which they worked then maybe more schools would stay open.When i was a kid in the 80s my school only closed once,and that was at lunchtime.Then again you used to see your teachers in the local community becuse they LIVED their.nowadays teachers tend to lived in the leafy suburbs and patronise bradford with their presence and then phone in at the first drop of a snowflake.Grow a pair and get into work,snowfall isnt an excuse for an unofficial day off.Most of the parents have to get into work so teachers should.Lazy ex student types probably watching homes under the hammer. Schools should only employ teachers who live within 5 miles of their school,that way they can always walk.What example are they setting to the pupils.lazy.”

What a loads of ****...so schools should hire teachers dependent on where they live rather than how good they are?

Anyway maybe if there were more asian teachers, schools like Marshfield would have teachers that lived less far away.

Numpty.Schools should consider the location of where a teacher lives along with their credentials,not location in isolation.

This culture of not turning into work at the drop of a snowflake is teaching pupils bad habits.Teachers moan about all the hours they put in but dont mention the 'unofficial' holidays they have along with the vast amount of annual leave they already recieve.

jim75 wrote:

thatsnotmyname wrote:

jim75 wrote:
If teachers lived closer to the schools in which they worked then maybe more schools would stay open.When i was a kid in the 80s my school only closed once,and that was at lunchtime.Then again you used to see your teachers in the local community becuse they LIVED their.nowadays teachers tend to lived in the leafy suburbs and patronise bradford with their presence and then phone in at the first drop of a snowflake.Grow a pair and get into work,snowfall isnt an excuse for an unofficial day off.Most of the parents have to get into work so teachers should.Lazy ex student types probably watching homes under the hammer. Schools should only employ teachers who live within 5 miles of their school,that way they can always walk.What example are they setting to the pupils.lazy.”

What a loads of ****...so schools should hire teachers dependent on where they live rather than how good they are?

Anyway maybe if there were more asian teachers, schools like Marshfield would have teachers that lived less far away.

Numpty.Schools should consider the location of where a teacher lives along with their credentials,not location in isolation.

This culture of not turning into work at the drop of a snowflake is teaching pupils bad habits.Teachers moan about all the hours they put in but dont mention the 'unofficial' holidays they have along with the vast amount of annual leave they already recieve.

What teacher in their right mind would want to live near the school were they work surrounded by the kids that they teach?

Over the years I have worked in shops and building societies and now as a teacher. As a single person and as a parent. Firstly, when I worked in a shop and was able to set off early, often I would still arrive late in snow due to gridlock. The shop still opened because it could cope on a skeleton staff. As a single teacher, who works over 20 miles from home (yes I would like to work closer, but like everyone else I have to work where I am offered a job) I could also set off earlier and avoid the worst of the traffic. I have arrived on occasions to be told school is closed as others couldn't get in. There is a minimum number of adults needed to ensure your children's safety. I have also arrived home at around 11pm due to severe weather conditions on the way home. I could do that as a single person with no children. But, like many others I am restricted by child care. I cannot set off for work until someone is available to look after my daughter and THEY may be delayed by bad weather. If I am not there on time then there is no-one there to look after the children at school. I appreciate this is frustrating but children have to be kept safe. We get enough stick for absolutely everything from every direction. The decision to close is not the teachers choice, it is the headteachers choice, give us a break for once.