Last updated at 17:09, Wednesday, 23 January 2013

YOUNGSTERS swapped their school uniforms for winter warmers to make the most of the snow before it melted away.

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Snowmen popped up in school playgrounds across South Cumbria as students took a rare break from their studies for a few hours of pure fun.

Headteachers sent a flurry of early morning text messages to parents, asking kids to bring wellies, gloves, coats and scarves.

Greengate Infant and Nursery headteacher Caroline Hoggarth said the children were delighted when the snow finally started falling on Monday.

“They’d seen on the news about the snow everywhere and they were desperate for the snow to come here, so they were so glad when it came,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity we don’t have very often, so when the snow comes we always get out in the school field because it was covered.

“School’s about experiences, not just about sitting in the classroom. It’s about taking opportunities like this when they’re available.”

Yarlside Primary School headteacher Janine Pierce designated the day a “non-uniform day” and encouraged pupils to complete snow-related activities.

“They were distracted when it started snowing, so they were very excited and I thought it would be awful to have to keep them in all day without going out and having a play,” she said.

“There’s still lots of activities going on in school. Some of the younger children are doing some lovely pictures and drawings and poetry.

“It was one of those special occasions where we’ve had a good snowfall but not needed to close the school because all staff managed to get to school safely.”

Children at Black Combe Junior School in Millom enjoyed a maths lesson in the snow-covered playground yesterday.

Year three teacher, Terry Jackson, said: “We’ve been looking at problem solving strategies in our numeracy lessons, through drawing pictures or acting out, to gain an understanding.

“And with it snowing, I took the opportunity to get the kids outside.”

Creating miniature snowmen, the children brought the equations to life.

Mr Jackson added: “It really allowed the children to deconstruct the problems, which should help in the classroom.”

First published at 16:30, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk