The heavy overnight snowfall has already prompted a number of schools in the Eastbourne area to either close for the day because of the adverse weather.
Some have blamed the treacherous roads and difficult conditions to access school grounds for closing and in the case of Seaford Primary School, it has cited difficulties of staff getting into work.Hellingly Community Primary School said on its website that freezing temperatures overnight and treacherous road conditions meant that many staff were unable to get in. The school said: “We would have insufficient staff to supervise the children safely.”
Herstmonceux Church of England Primary School offered a similar tale. It said on its website: “We are very sorry to have to close today but due to extremely icy and treacherous driving conditions, we cannot get enough staff to school to ensure safe supervision of the children. We apologise for any inconvenience to our families.”
And Motcombe Community School in Eastbourne excused its day closure by saying: “Apologies for the closure - insufficient staff due to appauling (sic) road conditions.”
Chiddingly Primary School closed because it did not have enough staff can get to school safely, but also its boiler had broken and there was no heating for the classrooms.
Willingdon Community School explained that it was forced to close today because of the difficult driving conditions. They were also concerned that bus companies were not able to guarantee their services this morning.
Pashley Down Infant School in Eastbourne, the school said that the Beechy Avenue and Longland Road steps were impassable. Hankham Primary School in Pevensey announced its closure this morning describing approach roads as “very dangerous”.
Bourne Primary School in Melbourne Road had originally planned to open after 10am this morning, and that a planned parent/teacher evening would go ahead.
But then just after 7.30am this morning, the school announced that the chairman of governors had decided that it would close today because of staff shortages.
Some schools had initially tried to delay opening this morning. they included Chyngton School in Seaford, Seaford Head, Hailsham Community College and Bishop Bell Church of England School in Eastbourne to allow allow students and teachers to get to school. However, with deteriorating overnight weather, they were forced to close to school for the day.
On an upbeat note, Hawkes Farm Primary School in Hailsham announced it was closing as staff were unable to travel to school because of the poor road conditions. The school said: “We apologies (sic) for this inconvenience and look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Thank you.”
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Those schools which are closed today include:
Alfriston School.
Annecy Catholic Primary School, Seaford.
Bishop Bell Church of England School, Eastbourne.
Bourne Primary School, Eastbourne.
Causeway School, Eastbourne closed, Options Evening for Year 9 parents at 5pm is postponed
Cavendish School, Eastbourne.
Chiddingly Primary School, Eastbourne.
Chyngton School, Seaford.
College Central, Eastbourne.
Cradle Hill Community Primary School, Seaford.
Cuckmere House School, Seaford.
Eastbourne Academy.
Grovelands Community School, Hailsham.
Hailsham Community College Academy Trust.
Hazel Court Special School, Eastbourne.
Haven Voluntary Aided C E Methodist Primary School, Eastbourne.
Hellingly Community Primary School.
Heron Park Academy, Eastbourne.
Herstmonceux Church of English Primary School.
Langney Primary School.
Lindfield School.
Moira House, Eastbourne
Motcombe Community School.
Park Mead Primary School, Hailsham.
Parkland Infant and Junior School, Eastbourne.
Pashley Down Infant School, Eastbourne.
Pevensey and Westham Church of England Primary School.
Ratton School Academy Trust, Eastbourne.
Roselands Infants School, Eastbourne.
Seaford Primary School.
Seaford Head School.
Shinewater Primary School, Eastbourne.
South Downs Community Special School, Eastbourne.
Stafford Junior School, Eastbourne.
St Andrew’s Church of England Infant School, Eastbourne.
St John’s Meads Church of England Primary School, Eastbourne.
St Thomas A Becket Catholic Infant & Junior Schools, Eastbourne.
Stone Cross School, Pevensey.
Sussex Downs College, Eastbourne.
West Rise Community Infant School, Eastbourne.
West Rise Junior School, Eastbourne.
White House Primary School, Hailsham.
Willingdon Community School, Eastbourne.
Willingdon Primary School, Eastbourne
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