This morning, the UK once again woke up to snow as the “Beast from the East” extends its stay. And while most pupils, parents, and teachers will have received for the inevitable snow day text or email, some of those in Norfolk heard about their school closure in a rather different way.
Channeling his inner Ed Sheeran and standing next to his children’s snowman, Chris Aitken, the executive head of Cantley and Horning Primary Schools Federation, chose to sing his school closure announcement.
He apologised to Ed Sheeran before launching into an impressive - if slightly shivery - version of Perfect.
Mr Aiken said: “Our parents and children all know I’m always up for a challenge, love getting my guitar out and am more than happy to make a bit of fool of myself!
“I spent about half an hour putting it together last night just in case. So after the serious business of deciding we needed to close both schools this morning was done I recorded it in my garden with my children’s snowman. It was just a bit of fun but fits in with our school’s ethos of #makelearningfun. We are always looking for opportunities to model this to our children. We are very ambitious for them, but will always keep childhood and fun at the core of everything we do.”
Four years ago, Durham Academy’s head of school Michael Ulku-Steiner and assistant head of school/upper school director Lee Hark, rose to the dizzying heights of more than 5 million views when they announced the school was closed with their rendition of Ice Ice Baby.
And this headteacher took inspiration from the much-loved Disney film, Frozen, with his version of Let it Go - School is Closed.
Yesterday, an independent school in Surrey made headlines by staying open but inviting all pupils to take the day off to play in the snow.
Reigate Grammar School’s headteacher Shaun Fenton emailed his students’ parents and said: “I believe that there are too few snow days for our children where they can go out and enjoy making snowmen and go sledging.
“Therefore, if there is a lot of snow and you can go sledging or make snowmen with your children today, then maybe today is a chance to make some special memories.”
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