Bad Weather Arangements

School Closure Policy

We will keep the school open whenever possible and this protocol aims to preserve learning as much as we can whilst keeping our students and staff safe.

  1. Keeping the school open

We have large supplies of grit and access to tractors.  This will enable site staff to clear paths to the two main entrances of the school, clear parts of the car parks and open essential paths around the school site. This work will happen from 5:30am on days with snow or ice, but may take some time to complete.

  1. Informing staff, parents and students
  • The school site will be inspected by our site team from 5.30am
  • A decision will be taken by the Headteacher, or in her absence the Deputy Headteacher, over whether the school will close before 7.25am.
  • Notice will be given as early as possible of the Headteacher’s decision to close the school. This will happen by 7.30am, through the following mechanisms:
    • A notification will be placed on the school website
    • A text will be sent to all staff using the school text system.
    • An email will be sent to all staff and parents via Insight.
    • Notification will be given to Radio Nottingham, Capital and Gem 106
    • A list of all school closures will be posted on the BBC Radio Nottingham website
  • If no notification is given by 7.30 am, the school will be open unless there is a significant deterioration in conditions.
  • If external examinations are scheduled, we will do everything that we can to ensure that these take place. Staff, parents and students should check the website, text and e mail for specific arrangements. Staff who are able to safely get to the school site should do so to ensure the smooth and safe running of the school in this event
  • A designated member of the Senior Leadership Team (Mrs Ayres, Mrs Souter or Mr Croft ) will, where possible, inform all relevant organisations or individuals that the school is closed. This will include bus companies and organisations and individuals that are scheduled to be in school, according to the school calendar.
  • We will update messages on the school website
  • When the Headteacher decides that the school will reopen, notice will be given as early as possible. This will happen by 7.15am, through the following mechanisms:
    • A notification will be placed on the school website
    • A text will be sent to all staff using the text system.
    • An email will be sent to all staff and parents via the Edulink system.
    • Where possible, we will have a member of staff available to answer the telephone however, this may not be always possible.
  1. Developing bad weather

When bad weather occurs during the day it is our policy to keep pupils in school until the usual dismissal time of 3.05 pm. However, if the weather deteriorates significantly during the morning the Headteacher, or in the event of his absence, the Deputy Headteacher, may decide to allow identified groups of students home at lunchtime. Staff, parents and pupils will be informed of this through:

  • Internal SIMS message
  • Edulink
  • Website
  • Telephone call

Arrangements will be made for the school to supervise any children who know they can only be collected at the end of the school day and, if necessary, for a reasonable time afterwards. Parents should not call the school to ask for their child to be released.