Norfolk schools close - even before the snow falls

Seven schools around Cromer in Norfolk were closed on Friday to allow teachers to take part, on full pay, in a "professional development day." This involved table tennis, Nintendo, drumming, tai-chi and swimming.

Councils should keep teacher "training" down to the statutory minimum - apparently there is a legal requirement to close schools for five days during normal term time to facilitate it. Furthermore, the next Conservative Government should scrap the statutory minimum. Over to you, Michael Gove.