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Snow shuts more than 6,400 schools in the UK Snow shuts nearly 7,000 schools across the UK
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of schools across the UK have been shut by heavy snow, giving pupils in some areas another day off. By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter
Freezing temperatures, blocked roads and icy pavements have meant that more than 6,400 schools have been unable to open. Almost one in four schools across the UK have been shut by heavy snow, giving pupils in some areas a further day off.
Schools in south-east and north England are badly hit with, more than 590 shut in Essex and 650 closed in both the Solent and West Yorkshire. In England, about a quarter of schools, or 4,000, are closed while in Scotland about 45% or 1,200 schools are shut - some for a third day.
With more freezing weather forecast closures are expected to continue. South-east and north-east England are particularly badly hit with hundreds of schools closed in Sussex, Kent, Essex, the Solent, and parts of Yorkshire.
School closures had already affected many parts of Scotland - with half of schools closed there on Wednesday. And with more freezing weather ahead, the closures are set to continue.
But fresh falls of snow overnight closed hundreds more were closed on Thursday morning in East and South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. School closures had already affected many parts of Scotland - with half of schools closed there on Wednesday. On Thursday, with snow showers sweeping southwards, the closure rate is down to about 45% here/
But fresh falls of snow overnight left hundreds more schools closed on Thursday morning in East and South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
And with the Met Office warning of very heavy snow falls predicted for most parts of north-east England, even more could face closures on Friday.And with the Met Office warning of very heavy snow falls predicted for most parts of north-east England, even more could face closures on Friday.
But there are also closures in the south-west of England, with a handful of schools shut for at least part of the day in Wiltshire and Somerset.But there are also closures in the south-west of England, with a handful of schools shut for at least part of the day in Wiltshire and Somerset.
London schools have fared better in the weather, but with rail disruption in south London and the south-east staff have faced a struggle to get into work.London schools have fared better in the weather, but with rail disruption in south London and the south-east staff have faced a struggle to get into work.
SafetySafety
However, some schools in south-east London, such as in Greenwich, have also been forced to close by snow.However, some schools in south-east London, such as in Greenwich, have also been forced to close by snow.
There have also been school closures in County Down in Northern Ireland and in parts of Wales - some due to frozen and burst pipes.There have also been school closures in County Down in Northern Ireland and in parts of Wales - some due to frozen and burst pipes.
Head teachers are usually responsible for the decision to close a school. It is mainly based on whether pupils and staff can get to and from school buildings safely and whether there are enough staff to teach and supervise children.Head teachers are usually responsible for the decision to close a school. It is mainly based on whether pupils and staff can get to and from school buildings safely and whether there are enough staff to teach and supervise children.
They also consider whether the school site is safe.They also consider whether the school site is safe.
Websites and local radio stations have been passing on news of schools that have been shut by the bad weather, but most schools have their own systems for notifying parents and staff if their doors are staying closed.Websites and local radio stations have been passing on news of schools that have been shut by the bad weather, but most schools have their own systems for notifying parents and staff if their doors are staying closed.