Only a handful of Bristol schools remained open after a second night of snow.

Every school in South Gloucestershire and Bath and north east Somerset was closed yesterday as dangerous road conditions prevented staff and students getting in. And all but about a dozen North Somerset schools were also shut.

Most Bristol City Council schools were shut, although a few that had enough staff living close by held lessons as usual.

The majority of fee-charging schools closed, but Colston's School in Stapleton was open.

With more snow forecast for early next week, many head teachers will be looking at their options over the weekend to ensure that pupils do not miss out.

Four Bristol primaries were open yesterday: Badock's Wood and Little Mead in Southmead, St John's in Clifton and Southville.

Zak Willis, head of Badock's Wood, said about 50 pupils had turned up for lessons and had enjoyed building an igloo in the school grounds.

"We are off to have fish fingers and hot chocolate before closing at lunchtime," he said.

Hot food was also on the menu at Southville Primary, thanks to cook Peggy McElroy, who battled in by car from Weston-super-Mare.

Head Sandie Smith said about three-quarters of pupils had turned up at school, and several staff had walked quite a distance to get there.

"The children had a lot of fun in the snow on Thursday," she said.

"Today they have had a an inter-house snowman-building competition. They are also writing snowman stories, which we hope to publish in a book."

Barbara Daykin, head of Little Mead, pointed out that for many of the children it was their first real experience of snow. "By the time it happens again, some may have their own children," she said.

"About 100 of our 300 children came in. They have had a great time," she added.

Justin Hoye, head of St John's Church of England Primary, saw similar numbers of pupils attend, as well as almost all his staff.

"I am exceptionally pleased that we have been able to remain open and offer a service to the children," he said.

"The children really enjoy being here with their friends. I have set them the challenge of building the biggest snowman they can. We have also done curriculum related activities, such as creating podcasts on what children think about the snow."

Peter Fraser at Colston's quipped he feared being named most unpopular head in Bristol for insisting the school remain open.

Attendance was lower yesterday than on Thursday, because of the lack of buses and because conditions were worse.

But nevertheless about half of students and nine out of ten staff were in, some having walked more than three miles.

"It is a great credit to the staff, including ancillary staff, and to the kids that they have made the effort to get here," he said.

For more than 40 Colston's sixth-formers, it was crucial to make the journey – they were sitting a practical drama AS-level exam yesterday.

Among the North Somerset schools that were open yesterday were: Castle Batch, Corpus Christi, Hillside First, Mendip Green First, St Joseph's, St Martins Junior, Yatton Junior, Yeo Moor Infants and Junior and Broadoak Secondary.