A HEADTEACHER who kept her school open throughout the worst snowfall in 18 years said she was doing it to set a good example.

St Katherine’s Primary in Hilton Road, Canvey, was one of only 50 Essex schools that opened its doors despite the weather.

All the staff and around 90 per cent of the pupils managed to make it in, even though other schools closed due to a lack of staff and health and safety fears.

Headteacher Rosemary Morgan said: “We eliminated the risk as much as we could.

“They didn’t go out at playtime because it is very slippy, but we led the children on a walk outside instead.

“I do disagree with secondary schools closing. They say they can’t open because they can’t let the children outside at break, but they are bigger than us.

“If you don’t instil in children a good work ethic by example, how can you expect them to grow up to be responsible adults who don’t call in sick to work anytime things get a bit difficult?”

TWO PAGE REPORT IN THURSDAY'S ECHO