THE closure of Lydney's Whitecross School on Tuesday brought an angry reaction from a number of local families. Callers to the Review claimed weather conditions were not serious enough for a shutdown.
Lydney county councillor Alan Preest said he had been surprised at the decision.
"A lot of parents have been very upset. I appreciate a decision has to be taken at a very early stage but I do not believe that on this occasion it was necessary for the closure to take place," he said.
Cllr Preest said all the school and public bus services were running.
"Conditions in Bream were better than on Monday. Yes, there was plenty of snow but on Tuesday there was no ice and conditions were forecast to improve. It is very difficult to understand why the closure went ahead. How are parents supposed to deal with short-notice closures?" he asked.
The school has over 1,200 pupils and staff and over half travel in by bus or coach.
In a letter to parents acting head teacher Mrs S. Brearley writes: "In order to inform everyone as quickly as possible, the decision to close due to bad weather is made each day shortly after 6am, in consultation with our health and safety officer."
Most of the Forest schools on higher ground were closed on Tuesday.
Another parent told the Review: "I think the school jumped the gun. The other three closures were understandable but this time the conditions were much improved. That said I do accept that a decision has to be made very early in the day."