AT 7.30am yesterday morning, half-a-dozen schools had decided to remain closed for the day.

But as the snow line moved further south across Derbyshire, increasing numbers began to send pupils home.

It is estimated that more than 13,000 pupils missed lessons because of the weather.

Some of the areas hardest hit by bad weather, in addition to the High Peak, were Matlock, Alfreton and Ripley,

Alfreton Grange Arts College decided to close at 10am after an hour of snowfall left local roads almost impassable.

It was a similar scene in Ripley, where all the town's schools were closed by 1.30pm.

Mal Kerr, head teacher at Noel-Baker Community School in Alvaston, decided to close the school at lunchtime, even though the city had little snow.

He said: "We closed because of the impending weather situation.

"A large proportion of our staff live beyond the city and we wanted to ensure they were all able to make their way home safely. Reports of conditions just beyond Derby were atrocious."

Most schools were hoping to be open today, but that depended on the weather overnight.

Pupils at Sinfin Community School knew last night that they would be getting a third day away from lessons, as a result of boiler failure.

Head teacher Steve Monks said: "Our boiler needs a new part which is proving hard to locate because of demand across the country.

"But our off-site classes for pupils in years 10 and 11 should still go ahead today – weather permitting."