Parents

Snow & bad weather

What happens in case of a school closure due to poor weather?

This policy outlines the procedures King Edward VI High School in Stafford will follow in the event of severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances that may affect the school's normal operations, including closure. The primary objective is to ensure the safety of all students, staff, and visitors while minimising disruption to education.

Decision to Close the School

The decision to close or partially close the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher, in consultation with the Chair of Governors, where possible. This decision will not be taken lightly and will be based on a thorough risk assessment of the following factors:

Safety of the School Site: An assessment will be made of the safety of the school premises, including pathways, car parks, and access routes. This includes the presence of snow, ice, flooding, or other hazards.
Safety of Travel: The conditions of local roads, public transport, and school bus routes will be considered to ensure students and staff can travel safely to and from the school in the Stafford area and surrounding communities.
Staffing Levels: The number of staff able to safely travel to school will be a key consideration. Insufficient staffing may compromise the supervision and health and safety of students.
Essential Services: The availability of essential services such as heating, lighting, and catering will be checked to ensure the school can operate effectively and safely.

The school's intention is always to remain open if it is safe to do so. However, the safety of the school community will always be the paramount consideration.

Communication of School Closure

The school will use a variety of methods to communicate a school closure, with the aim of providing as much notice as possible. Please do not assume the school is closed unless you have received official communication.

Before the School Day (Early Morning Closure):

A decision to close the school will be made as early as possible, ideally before 7:00 am.
An announcement will be posted on the school's official website homepage.
Parents will receive a text message and/or an email via our parent communication system, Go4Schools.
The school's social media channels (e.g., official Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels) will be updated.
An announcement may also be made on local radio stations, including Vibe 1 (formerly Stafford FM), Hits Radio (Staffordshire & Cheshire), and BBC Radio Stoke. The closure information may also be available on the Staffordshire County Council website.

During the School Day (Early Closure):

In the event that weather conditions deteriorate during the school day, the Headteacher will make a decision to close the school early.
Students will be informed of the early closure and will be supervised until they can safely leave.
A message will be sent to all parents via Go4Schools (text and/or email).
School buses will be contacted to arrange for an early collection where possible.
The school will remain open and supervised for any student who is unable to go home.

Student and Parent Responsibilities

Staying Informed: Parents and students should regularly check the official communication channels outlined above for updates, especially during periods of adverse weather.
Travel Safety: Parents and students must make their own judgment regarding the safety of their journey to school. If a journey is deemed unsafe, parents should inform the school of their child's absence as per the school's attendance policy.
Emergency Contact Details: It is crucial that the school has up-to-date contact information for all parents and guardians. Please ensure you notify the school of any changes to your phone numbers or email addresses.
Behaviour: During periods of bad weather, students are expected to follow all instructions from staff. Snowball throwing on school premises is prohibited due to the risk of injury.

Continuity of Education

In the event of a school closure, the school will aim to provide continuity of education through remote learning. Details on how to access online learning resources and tasks will be communicated to students and parents via the usual communication channels.

Re-opening the School

Once the severe weather has passed and the school site has been deemed safe, an announcement will be made via the same communication channels to inform parents and students of the school's re-opening.

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