Thanks to an amazing effort by West Lothian Council teams, contractors and parents/carers, all but 13 council primary, nursery and special schools WILL safely open tomorrow (Monday, 5 March).
They join West Lothian’s 11 secondary schools, which will re-open on Monday as planned.
The following schools will remain CLOSED on Monday:
Blackridge Primary
Connolly Campus, Blackburn
Deans Primary, Livingston
Eastertoun Primary, Armadale
Hopefield Nursery School, Blackburn
Longridge Primary
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary, Blackburn
Our Lady’s Primary, Stoneyburn
Parkhead Primary, West Calder
Pinewood School, Blackburn
Riverside Primary, Livingston
St Joseph’s Primary, Whitburn
St John the Baptist Primary, Fauldhouse
All 13 of these will re-open on Tuesday 6 March.
All other West Lothian Council secondary, primary, nursery and special schools will be OPEN on Monday 5 March at the normal time. Parents/carers will receive a groupcall to confirm if their school is open or closed.
Re-opening nearly 100 schools following severe weather is a major job, with significant checks carried on every building required before it can be safely opened, such as ensuring they are still structurally sound, heating is working and toilet and catering facilities are in good working order.
Snow clearing work in school grounds is ongoing to ensure a safe route for staff and pupils, with up to five feet of snow drifts requiring cleared in some schools.
Due to the amount of specialist work required, it has not been possible to safely open every school on Monday.
If your child’s school is open, we would encourage you to send them if it safe to do so. Parents should carry out their own assessment of whether it is safe for their child to travel to school from their home, depending on their individual circumstances.
Parents/carers should take extra care when travelling to school on Monday, especially as some crossing patrol staff may not be in place.
All school transport will operate as normal.
Parent/carers of pupils attending special schools who receive transport should check with their provider on whether they are able to take their child to school.
There will be no breakfast clubs on Monday, and lunch menus may vary from usual. Wraparound care will be in place as normal, and parents/carers should confirm any after school arrangements with their provider.
