Schools play safe by barring younger pupils

Parents faced more problems arranging childcare as at least 15 schools cancelled classes, despite improved weather conditions.

Eight schools were closed in Sutton, three in Tower Hamlets and Quintin Kynaston secondary school in St John's Wood was open only to GCSE and A-level exam pupils.

Jo Shuter, the school's award-winning headteacher, said younger pupils were being kept away for "health and safety reasons". The playground was too large for the school's staff to treat with its limited supply of grit, she said.

"Today we are open for the older kids but we have got issues with our playground still being full of compact snow which is now ice," she said. "It is lethal for the kids as they will throw it at each other. They will hurl it around and there will be a terrible accident.

"There is absolutely no way that I would close a school unless I was absolutely convinced it was what I had to do. It is so easy for a kid to lose their eye if a bit of ice gets thrown at them."

Younger pupils - who are "not as sensible"- will be kept at home today until gritting contractors can come in to treat the playground, she said.

Ms Shuter said staff had walked in on Monday and Tuesday and the school was open last night for a parents' evening as planned. Tony Blair was at the school in 2006 when he announced he would step down as Prime Minister.

At Westminster City school, builders who were on site already were hired to clear the playground of ice.

Parents have warned they face "terrible" difficulties trying to arrange childcare at late notice.

Margaret Morrissey, from campaign group Parents Outloud, said shutting schools sent the wrong message. Pupils might grow up thinking "you should just stay at home and have fun" when things get difficult, she said.

Yesterday, more than 1,000 schools and nurseries across London closed for a second day, leaving more than 500,000 children with no lessons.

Boroughs said most schools were re-opening again today. But in Barnet, Oak Lodge school is partially closed, while the Compton school and Mill Hill school will be opening later than usual.

In Camden, more than 30 schools and children's centres were opening again, but South Camden community college has cancelled all after-school and evening activities.

Tower Hamlets council said three schools will stay closed. A statement said: "Parents and carers should assume their child's school will be open. All schools have worked hard to ensure they will be safe for the children and we hope they will all open tomorrow.

"However, Bishop Challoner (boys and girls) and Langdon Park secondary schools will remain closed."