Closing schools sends 'wrong message'

Margaret Morrissey, of the Parents Outloud campaign group, said it sent out the message that if life gets difficult you should simply stay at home.

She said: "We are giving children the message that when things get difficult you should just stay at home and have fun. Then, when they keep taking sick days from work when they grow up we wonder why."

She said the continuing closures would be extremely difficult for parents who would have to balance work with childcare.

"Parents are stuck between a rock and a hard place. It's great fun for children to be able to stay at home and play in the snow, there's great excitement, especially since it happens so rarely.

"But it is terribly difficult for parents, that, come whenever it may be, you've got to go to work and you've got the added problem of what to do with the children."

Chief executive of Bradford Council, Tony Reeves, said the decision to close the city's schools was taken on Monday because of the "very severe weather forecast".

He said: "This decision has not been taken lightly, but it is in the best interests of both children and parents to ensure their safety and to allow parents to make child care arrangements, including informing their employers where necessary. It is schools being closed at short notice which causes most disruption to residents and the economy."

Birmingham City Council's decision to close all schools was "ridiculous", parents in the city said this afternoon.

Office worker Lisa Gilbert, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, said: "If parents decided to keep their children off school for no reason they are reprimanded. Why is it OK just because the council decide they can't cope with a bit of snow? It is one-sided and it does set a bad example to children, you can't have that sort of attitude when you are at work."