The Local Government Association (LGA) has praised councils throughout the country for helping schools stay open, wherever possible, during the recent cold weather and heavy snow.

‘Routes to large schools are gritting priorities for local authorities, as they know how important keeping them open is, both in terms of continuity of teaching for pupils and avoiding costly and disruptive childcare for pupils,' said chair of the LGA's children and young people, Cllr David Simmonds