Friezland beats the big freeze

Date published: 06 January 2010

FRIEZLAND School in Greenfield was one of only four schools across Oldham to open yesterday.

Dedicated staff walked to school from all over Saddleworth and joined forces with parents to dig paths through the snow so the school’s 100-plus pupils could walk safely.

Parent Samantha Durr snapped this picture of the sterling work carried out to keep it “business as usual.”

She said: “I was really pleased with the message this gives to my daughter. She was happy to go to school because she was able to sledge all the way.”

Staff and parents continued their work to make sure the school could open again today despite more snow and freezing temperatures overnight.

Head teacher Jane Wallace said: “We would never compromise people’s safety, but most of our staff live fairly locally, and certainly within a four-mile walking distance. There’s an expectation that school will open unless there is a number of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, and everyone mucks in.

“Every single parent who walked through the door yesterday offered to help. We have enough food to last until the end of the week.”