Adverse Weather Policy

On rare occasions, particularly in winter, the weather can be so severe that getting to and from school becomes hazardous. It is also possible that the weather could deteriorate during the course of the day and it becomes necessary for students to leave the premises a little early in order to arrive home safely.

We are aware that bad weather by its nature is disruptive. Please be aware that if parents ring the school it can be difficult to answer all the calls as the lines can quickly become jammed. Therefore, any action due to poor weather will be communicated by phone call to parents from their form tutor by 7.30am. If we are unable to contact parents via phone we will communicate by email and a text message will be sent to parents.

Decisions about closing the school or sending pupils home early will not be taken lightly, we will endeavour to open the school when it is practicable to be able to do so. We will check weather reports, get advice from the taxi companies and try to assess what is happening elsewhere in the local area. Some taxis may not be available in some areas; operators have to decide whether running vehicles on particular routes in snow and ice is too high a risk. Drivers are rarely available at times other than scheduled school runs. This is why schools often take their lead from the taxi companies when deciding what to do.

If the school has to be closed, a message will be communicated via phone call to parents. Please do not try to contact the school directly, it is unlikely that we will be able to respond due to the phone calls which are being made to other parents.

Closure will also be communicated by text message and email to parents and on our website.

If any pupil arrives at school unaware of the closure a member of staff will be there to help. Pupils may phone parents without charge to decide whether they should return home or wait to be collected.

The school will be closed early only in extreme cases.

The decision to close the school will be made by the Head teacher and senior colleagues after consulting the taxi companies.

The closure may be staggered. Pupils who live furthest from the school may go first depending on road conditions.

Decisions about early closure will be communicated to staff and pupils as soon as this is appropriate.

School will be kept open with staff on hand until the last pupil has left.

In the event of a school closure announced during the morning, best efforts will be made to ensure students are provided with a sandwich and a drink as a minimum.

• Check the website, email and text from school for information communicated by the school.
• Assume school is open if you have not received an email/text/ phone call from the school.
• Plan ahead with your child what to do in a bad weather emergency.
• Only call the school in bad weather if you really have to – calls in prevent calls out.

• If you arrive at 8.30am go straight to the café as usual.
• If your Form Teacher has not arrived, wait in the café until another member of staff arrives to give you instructions.
• Students should not throw snow or snowballs either inside the building or on school premises.
• During snowy weather students might be expected to remain in the café or classrooms at break and lunch and not go outside of the school building.