ALMOST all of Wirral's schools and colleges will be back open on Monday, having been closed this week due to the big freeze.

After taking account of the current weather forecast, traffic and road conditions on main transport routes, and public and school transport provision, the following advice has been given to schools by Wirral Council:

Primary Schools

From Monday, January 11, 2010, all primary schools are advised to open.

If full opening is not possible then partial opening should be considered.

As at 4pm Friday, January 8, 2010, we are aware of only one primary school which cannot open on Monday, which is St Laurence’s, Birkenhead due to a heating failure.

All other primary schools are expected to open.

Many primary schools are situated on non primary or secondary gritting routes and parents/carers should give careful consideration to the safest approach routes to schools.

Some primary schools intend opening on a staggered basis to assist traffic flow on Monday, January 11.

Parents are asked to consult individual school websites [or indeed the Globe's].

There will be no specialist transport provision on Monday, January 11 for pupils who are normally collected from home.

Secondary Schools

All secondary schools have been advised to open on Monday, January 11 and as at 4pm on Friday, January 8, all secondary schools have indicated that they will open on Monday.

Parents/carers are asked to check individual school websites [and the Globe's]for any specific arrangements for pupils.

Merseytravel have indicated that their contractors will provide school bus services wherever possible but these may operate on gritted routes only and therefore services routes may vary.

There will be no specialist transport provision on Monday, January 11 for pupils who are normally collected from home.

Special Schools

All special schools have been advised to remain CLOSED on Monday, January 11 as there will be no specialist transport provision for pupils.

A further risk assessment and discussions with the specialist transport providers will take place on Monday and a further update will be given.

Children’s Centres Nine Children’s Centres have been open today - Friday, January 8 - and it is anticipated that all Children’s Centres will be open on Monday, January 11.

Further Education

It is further anticipated that all Wirral Met College campuses and Birkenhead Sixth Form College will be open on Monday.

All the above is subject to weather conditions remaining as forecast over the weekend, with only light snow showers currently forecast as a possibility for Wirral on Sunday, January 10.

Should there be a marked deterioration in weather conditions over the weekend, parents should listen to announcements on local radio stations, and check the council website and Globe Online.