Closure policies will be investigated after freeze (From Keighley News)

Closure policies will be investigated after freeze

9:00am Thursday 21st January 2010

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Lessons must be learned to keep the district’s schools open following the widespread closures during the severe weather, councillors have warned.

Tens of thousands of pupils have missed lessons since Christmas due to the heavy snow. But councillors now say questions need to be asked to ensure more schools are able to stay open during adverse weather.

Councillor Michael Kelly, Bradford Council’s executive member for children and young people, said he intended to raise the issue at the next council leader’s briefing.

He said: “It will be a question I will raise specifically with regard to what do we think, or how well do we think we did as a district with regard to our schools and what actions are we going to take to ensure that we don’t have to suffer widespread school closures in the future? We expect there to be questions asked and lessons to be learned.”

Cllr Ralph Berry, education spokesman for the council’s Labour group, called for a review into the gritting process in relation to schools.

He said: “The impact for unnecessary school closures on the economy, in terms of people being able to go to work, is very disruptive for employers.

“I also think we need to look at how we notify parents about closures.”

Cllr David Ward, education spokesman for the council’s Liberal Democrat group, said the Bradford North Area Committee would be carrying out a review into how the district dealt with the weather generally.

He said: “Of concern to me is the elderly. They are the ones who for a start are less able to get out and are far more vulnerable if they do try to get out.”

Sue Colman, assistant director of learning services at Bradford Council, said: “All Bradford schools have made every effort to remain open.

“In many cases this has meant schools have been partially open or have opened later than usual.

“The decision to close a school is always taken in the interest of safety and our head teachers take that decision only when they cannot be confident that the children will be secure.

“As soon as the current conditions abate the impact of the loss of working days on schools and their students will be assessed.”

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