Pupils at Gaywood Primary School built snowmen during their breaktime. Picture: Ian Burt

While more than 40 schools across Norfolk closed yesterday, one stayed open so pupils and staff could enjoy the snow together.

As the list of closures mounted across the county, Gaywood Community Primary School took to Twitter, proclaiming: “Open as usual. Please send children with spare clothes, boots, hats, scarves and gloves so we can go onto the field. #SNOWMEN! #WOOHOO.”

After a safety briefing from head teacher Paul Shanks in morning assembly, almost 400 youngsters at the King’s Lynn school pulled on their coats and wellies and filed out onto the playing field.

A pristine coating of snow, almost 6ins thick, didn’t last long. Some pupils took part in a snowball competition, while others set to work rolling huge balls of snow to make snowmen.

“If you get it in the blue bucket, it’s 20 points, if you get it in the yellow bucket its 10,” shouted Mr Shanks, as the first fusilade flew.

The head, who has run the 411-pupil school on Field Lane for two years, said he would only close it if the conditions were dangerous for staff and pupils travelling to and from the site.

“It’s great seeing them out like this,” he said. “We’ve got a big field full of snow here and the pupils love it. And I think some of my staff like it more than the pupils.

“We’ve adapted the timetable. Year Fours are doing science, insulation experiments. We’ve adapted the curriculum around the snow - how often do you see it..?”

Mr Shanks looked at his watch, blew his whistle and called the children to gather round. “OK guys,” he shouted. “Who wants to stay out longer..?”

“We do...” chorused hundreds of children.