Children at village school revel in snow day

Children at two rural schools have been enjoying a day at home due to disruption caused by snow.

Guilsborough Primary and Academy in Northamptonshire closed their gates after heavy snow on Thursday night.

The principal of the academy has praised a local farmer who helped tow staff members' cars that were stuck following a parents' evening.

Matilda, 10, who was at home with her 16-year-old brother Ben, said it was "nice to have a day off – it's just fun to be kids".

She added: "I think it's wonderful, I really like the snow and it's just the best way to spend time with my brother."

Ben said not being at school was "pretty good".

The Met Office had issued yellow and amber weather warnings for rain and snow covering much of England, including Northamptonshire.

Academy principal Simon Frazer described how the snow started to arrive after Thursday's parents' evening and that one staff member took four hours to get home.

He said he took the decision to close at about 05:00 GMT.

"It's a very challenging situation when we get snow – when you don't know whether it's going to hit you or not," he said.

Snow had since been cleared from the road, but he said the site was still "tricky".

Matilda and Ben's mother Alex said she understood the school's decision to close.

"The school has provided some work for them to do but it's been recognised they want to be outside and have some fun, which is really good for them," she said.

"It's nice for them to be able to experience this and just relax and enjoy it."

She said her husband had to abandon his car on Thursday because of the snow.

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