Big cities lead the way as pupils return

All but two of Scotland’s councils have vowed to open schools and nurseries tomorrow as the Beast from the East begins to loosen its grip.

Working Scottish parents faced a childcare headache last week when schools closed due to the wintry weather.

Some local authorities had shut the school gates for three days.

But 30 councils have said all kids will be back to school tomorrow – much to the delight of parents.

Yesterday, Glasgow City Council warned youngsters their sledging days were numbered with its staff battling to get schools and nurseries ready to return to normal.

A statement on its Twitter feed read: “We currently expect our schools and nurseries to re- open on Monday morning, so get your sledging in while you can.

“As ever, though, we are in the hands of the weather – so we’ll aim to update you here at around noon on Sunday.”

Edinburgh City Council also said it anticipated all of its education establishments would be open but asked parents to check beforehand.

One of the capital’s primary schools wasn’t taking any chances by organising a Snow Pa r t y to help clear the playground.

Abbeyhill Primary School in Edinburgh has put out an SOS to parents to help clear paths around the school and promises to provide snacks to volunteers.

There is proviso though – you have to bring your own shovel at 11am.

At Kinnaird Primary School in Larbert yesterday more than 100 volunteers answered a call for help to clear paths and entrances.

North and South Lanarkshire Council said they were confident schools and nurseries would re- open but North Lanarkshire said it was “in the hands of the weather” and asked parents to check over the weekend.

Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire’s three councils as well as Dumfries and Galloway also said they were expecting to open as normal.

In a s t a t em e nt An g u s Council said: “A decision on schools opening on Monday will be made as soon as possible on Sunday.

But parents in two areas face another day of childcare issues.

Both Scottish Borders and West Lothian council said some schools would be shut tomorrow.

We s t Lothian Council decided on Friday that primary schools and nurseries would remain shut.

However, it plans to re-open its secondary schools. Sorry, kids. It’s time to dig out the schoolbags