Probe into Norfolk school snow closures

Steve DownesAn official investigation has been launched to find out why so many schools closed during last week's snowy weather.Steve Downes

An official investigation has been launched to find out why so many schools closed during last week's snowy weather.

Norfolk County Council is set to look into the situation, which saw 382 shut on January 7 and more than 350 close on January 8 amid freezing temperatures and significant snowfall.

Some headteachers cited health and safety as the main reason, amid fears of accidents on icy playgrounds, while more than 120 schools closed because not enough members of staff could make it to work.

The flurry of closures polarised debate, with some people accusing schools of closing too readily and others backing the heads' decisions.

At yesterday's children's services overview and scrutiny panel, the council's cabinet member for children's services, Shelagh Hutson, said; 'There has been a lot of debate about the closure of schools because of snow. What we propose to do is get a report prepared going into the ins and outs of why the decisions were made.'

She said the report would be presented to the panel at its meeting on March 11.

What do you think about the high number of school closures. Write to Evening News letters at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk