In reply to Grace St Claire’s letter in last week’s Free Press, I feel compelled to respond.

As a 13-year-old schoolgirl with a mother who works at a local school, I am stunned at the suggestion that I stay home alone whilst my mother sleeps at school to ensure that the school stays open for the few pupils that may turn up.

Staff do have families, and I think that social services may have something to say about me being home alone!

Frankly, I’d rather be tobogganing with my besties than doing algebra for the one day in every five to ten years that I miss through snow.

Martha Long (by email).