Snow stopped play for 37 schools in borough
Reporter: by Janice Barker
Date published: 04 February 2009
Driving’s hairy from the dairy: Nothing stops the milkround in Scouthead as this delivery driver carefully negotiates the snow drifts and ice — with a helping hand from a farmer’s snowplough in Platting Road, Scouthead.
Winter’s icy blast caused disruption to Oldham’s schools again yesterday as hundreds of pupils were given an extra day’s holiday.
As thermometers plunged to -3°C (27°F) on Monday night, many head teachers and governors decided not to open — 37 schools out of 115 notified Oldham Council they were closing yesterday.
Many contacted local radio stations to pass on the news to pupils and parents. The BBC reported 51 schools closed in the east of Greater Manchester, mostly in Oldham.
Many schools posted information on their school websites, or left telephone messages for parents and carers.
And, as the forecast promises sub-zero temperatures overnight for the rest of the week, heads and governors are making day-to-day decisions about when to open.
The Radclyffe School in Chadderton stayed open until 1.10pm, allowing pupils four out of their five learning periods and a school lunch.
But head teacher Hardial Hayer said not all the pupils attended, adding: “Some will have found it hard to get in and more have come in as the morning has gone on.
“The danger is, we will lose teaching for the rest of the week.
“Every time we are in a situation like this, we do a risk assessment. This morning we thought we could safely cater for four out of five periods, but pupils will stay indoors as outside is very icy.
“Pupils will go home after lunch, but only miss one period of learning, and if any can’t get home, staff will be on-site here. Only one staff member is off due to the weather.”
University Campus Oldham, Oldham College and Oldham Sixth Form College all opened.
Oldham Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and families, Councillor Kay Knox, said: “The decision to close is made by the school itself.
“On the morning of a closure the local media will be informed. Staff will always be present at the school to greet pupils who were not aware. The decision is taken only when it is believed that there is no alternative.”
All white tomorrow night
Oldham was still gripped by the big freeze this morning as temperatures hovered around freezing.
And weather forecasters say tomorrow could bring more snow during the evening.
Side roads and pavements are still treacherous, although all main routes are running freely.
Oldham’s refuse collection service was suspended yesterday because of the bad weather.
Cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, Councillor Mark Alcock, said: “The council is working on rescheduling collections and will advise residents as soon as weather conditions permit.
“The safety of our crews and the public is obviously paramount in all our planning.”
Transpennine routes from Oldham were open today, and the A672 Ripponden Road at Saddleworth’s junction 22 on the M62, closed on Monday, reopened last night. Oldham Mountain Rescue Team was called to help an 18-year-old youth after a sledging accident at Millbrook, Stalybridge.
