One Newport headteacher says he'll be glad to get back to normal but has also pointed out that despite his school reopening, up to one in two parents have not sent their pupils back to school.
With the weather came frustration from some parents about the length of time the schools shut for, and for the criteria used to call lessons off for the day. Some parents faced taking annual leave or even loosing wages for taking days off due to lack of childcare.
Jon Wilson, Head of Duffryn High school, says the decision to close a school because of snow or ice is never made lightly, and pointed out it took a massive effort to open his school doors again on Wednesday.
"I'll be very glad to get back to normal because this week has been far more testing than a normal working day. Opening the school is always our aim, but only when it's safe to do so."
Some parents have voiced concerns regarding the decisions taken by headteachers to close schools, especially when other services nearby seemed to be open during the bad weather.
Despite doing everything possible to open Mr Wilson says that a school is not the same as an office, with hundreds of pupils having to move around the site on the hour, every hour. He added that despite the school's efforts to re-open as soon as possible, with the help of council workers to clear the area, attendance levels yesterday were just above 50%. That's despite the school texting all parents to advise them that the school was open.
Despite doing everything possible to open Mr Wilson says that a school is not the same as an office, with hundreds of pupils having to move around the site on the hour, every hour. He added that despite the school's efforts to re-open as soon as possible, with the help of council workers to clear the area, attendance levels yesterday were just above 50%. That's despite the school texting all parents to advise them that the school was open.
"It's very interesting when you look at the media - we opened for all pupils on Tuesday and the attendance was only 75%, again yesterday despite texting all parents to advise them that the school was open, attendance was only 50%" said the headteacher.
Mr Wilson says whilst he understands the frustrations of parents, he's confident that everything has been done to keep closures to a minimum.
For the full interview with Mr Wilson click here
For the full interview with Mr Wilson click here
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