Council chief slams 'unnecessary' school closures

Full list of school closures in Yorkshire

Temperatures plunged to historic lows overnight in Greater Manchester, with a mercury reading of minus 17.6C in Woodford, but Manchester Council leader Sir Richard Leese said he expects schools to be open today "unless there are any exceptional circumstances".

And in an email to council members yesterday, he urged parents to find out why their children's schools are shut.

He wrote: "School closures are causing concern as many today seem to be unnecessary.

"Apart from a few special cases there is no reason why schools shouldn't be open tomorrow.

"However the decisions are taken at the individual school level so I would suggest that if any school in your ward is closed tomorrow you do contact the head and chair of governors to find out why."

The closures are having a knock-on effect on other services because parents are having to take annual leave to look after their children, he added.

But Manchester Liberal Democrats leader Simon Ashley said the email was a "cheap shot".

He said: "The last thing headteachers need is a politician telling them how to run their schools. Councillor Leese should respect the judgment of headteachers, not criticise them."

Jerry Bartlett, deputy general secretary of the teaching union NASUWT, said it would be "grossly irresponsible" to put the health and safety of children at risk by asking them to travel to school.

"We have got a real issue with a politician seeking to subject his judgment for education bosses who have to make very difficult decisions about whether to keep schools open.

"The greater priority has to be the safety and welfare of the children."

Thousands of schools across Yorkshire were shut again today.

West Yorkshire was the hardest hit region, with more than 140 schools keeping their doors closed to pupils.

Around 50 schools remained closed in South Yorkshire and, while around 40 were still shut in North Yorkshire, many have now reopened after closures earlier in the week.

Just a handful of schools were closed in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull and pupils at 17 schools in North and North East Lincolnshire were staying at home today.