"GKN" wrote in message
.uk...
Sorry to make an issue on this point, but listening to Essex FM this
morning only goes to show what a nation of gutless whimps we are training
our youngsters to become.
Thirty minutes after the snow started to fall we are faced on our local
radio with endless lists of school closures due to the weather, numerous
road traffic accidents and road closures.

I fully understand that with the claim culture that we now live in, head
teachers are afraid of their own shadows when it comes to a child slipping
over and having an accident on school premises.

But I also believe there is another force coming into play here. So, OK it
snows, its also a Friday, and what better than a nice long weekend for the
teaching staff. How convenient.

Yes also conveniently, it is a strange co-incidence that teachers training
days are always tagged onto weekends or school holidays, Are twelve weeks
holiday not enough?

I was at school during the winter of 1962-63 and if ever there was a case
for school closures that was the one, but no, schools stayed open and
youngsters trudged through freezing snow and ice for two months without
even a thought of schools closing.

One point that made me laugh was that some schools were closed due to
frozen pipes, at 2 Deg C.???
I would suggest that they look at the quality of their pipe lagging.

Also on the 10am news bulletin there was an article concerning the
"severe" cold snap we were suffering and the new danger that had suddenly
arisen at our very own doorsteps. The danger of slipping over on the
pavement outside in the snow.

well I for one am glad that they told me about this, because at the age of
51, I had never encountered this before and I am eternally grateful for
their concern.

Now lets get things into perspective on the subject of school closures.
All it takes is for the head teacher to issue a memorandum to all parents
and guardians stating that the school will take all reasonable care to
make sure that pathways in and around the school premises will be kept as
clear as is practical, and that no responsibility will be taken by the
school in the event of any injury caused by such. Job done.

Lets hear no more about it next winter.

Regards. Len
Totally agree with you Len; our local secondary school was closed today yet
the main roads were completely clear of snow and there was about 1cm on the
other surfaces. All the snow had gone by late morning as well so I am
totally baffled for the reason for the closure. Perhaps the Friday effect
you mention is true.

Life is full of risk and children need to learn how to manage it which
certainly won't happen in today's climate.

Alan