Headteacher Associations' response to letter from Cllr Castle re school closures January 2010 and his reply

Tuesday 12th January 2010

Headteachers across Essex received a letter from Councillor Castle (Cabinet member for Education and 2012 Games) on the 8th January, urging them to "do all in their power to keep their school open" during the current severe weather. In his closing paragraph Cllr. Castle noted: Additionally, I encourage you to enable children the opportunity to experience the snow with their school friends during break times. While I was at school, I looked forward to days where we were able to enjoy the snow with friends during the lunch break. We should return to this traditional way of responding, where children are allowed and encouraged to embrace the joys a snowfall can bring in a safe and fun manner."

In addtion a press release was issued by Cllr. Castle, stressing his concerns about school closures.

Many headteachers were extremely upset by the tone and implications of the letter, and the three Essex headteacher associations (EPHA, ASHE and ASESME) agreed a joint response to the letter. This begins: "Following your recent press release and letter to Essex Headteachers, it was felt important that the associations that represent Essex heads respond to you to express our dismay that you felt it necessary to remind Headteachers of their responsibilities to keep schools open in severe weather conditions."

The letter stressed the factors that must be taken into account when making the difficult decision to close a school and stated "Headteachers agonise over the decision to open or close in these circumstances, often leaving it until very early in the morning, in the hope that conditions have improved overnight. In making this difficult decision, Headteachers will take into account local conditions, Met Office warnings, schools site conditions, police, the RAC and the AA and all radio and TV bulletins. Many Essex schools have children who come to them by bus and the bus companies also declare their situation early in the morning and often will not guarantee to collect pupils later in the day. In some cases bus companies will decline to collect children early in the morning."

The letter concluded: "As Essex County Council member with responsibility for schools, we would have hoped that you would have been more supportive in your press releases, radio interviews and TV news appearances. This was an opportunity to have reassured parents of the commitment and dedication of Headteachers, teachers and all school staff to the young people of Essex."

See the full transcript of Cllr. Castle's letter, and the response from the headteacher associations.

The three Association Chairs have now received a reply from Cllr. Castle and a copy of the press release sent out on 28 January.

Pam Langmead