The head teacher of a school with heating issues has instructed children to wear extra layers - as he insists classes won't be cancelled "just because of a snow flurry".

Bosses from Simon Langton Boys in Canterbury revealed to parents on Friday that the boiler in the site's main block is in need of fixing.

Eleven electric heaters have been bought and placed around the grammar, as engineers are not expected to repair the issue until next week.

Despite this and the fact 185 schools across Kent have closed their doors today, defiant head teacher Ken Moffat says his secondary will remain open.

"It is our aim to carry on educating our students over the next five days and try for a major fix on the boiler next week when we are shut," he told KentOnline.

"The heating issue only affects one building and we went out and bought 11 electric heaters at the weekend in anticipation.

"Currently the heating is on.

"I’m not going to close the school just because we have had a flurry of snow."

The message sent to parents by Mr Moffat on Friday originally stated the heating problems would be addressed this morning.

It added: "Please send your child to school in layers, and with a warm coat.

"We hope to rectify the situation as soon as possible."

However, one parent branded Mr Moffat's decision to keep Langton Boys open "silly", amid concerns about the snow and faulty boiler.

"I’m not going to close the school just because we have had a flurry of snow..."

The Met Office updated its yellow weather alert this morning to warn that snow and ice will bring disruption to the county's roads until 11am tomorrow.

Among the scores of schools which have announced they will be shut today are the New Line Learning Academy in Maidstone, Delce Academy in Rochester and Chatham Grammar.

Northfleet Technology College, Robert Napier and Twydall Primary, Howard School, Maplesden, Wilmington Academy, Five Acre Wood, Holmesdale School, Cedar Academy, Hundred of Hoo, Peninsular East and St Simon Stock are also closed.

Icy conditions around Canterbury have led accidents and delays in the area.

A truck got stuck on a route near Barham Crematorium, a jack-knifed Sainsbury's lorry brought traffic on the Thanet Way between Whitstable and Herne Bay to a standstill.