The Scottish Parent Teacher Council said families may be heartened by the review, but warned there was no guarantee that admission policies will change.

BBC: generic pupils sitting exam

The United Federation of Teachers also asked a state labor board to intervene in a standoff with the city over a teacher-evaluation system at most of those schools, though the city said the board had no right to weigh in on the matter.

WSJ: Mayor Draws Teacher Threat

"No head teacher takes the decision to close their school lightly, " said Brian Lightman, head of the Association of School and College Leaders.

BBC: Gove: 'Schools should be open' despite snow

Jo Lang, a science teacher from Harrow in north-west London, said some youngsters were turned off school because they felt the curriculum had no relevance to them.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Teachers seek help over violence