Arrangements for School in Adverse Weather

As winter approaches, it is worth clarifying the procedures concerned with school closure resulting from adverse weather conditions such as snow.  When adverse weather strikes, we have to deal with a deluge of telephone calls from coach companies, staff, parents and students who all want advice at the same time.  Because we are not always aware of the wide range of problems happening simultaneously and not able to control situations as they develop outside of school, it is extremely important that every parent/carer explains to their children what to do if a coach does not arrive for them.  In the event of extreme weather arriving during the day it may be necessary to send the children home early.  We endeavour to contact every parent in advance and the Parentmail system will help greatly with this (if you have not already signed up to this I would urge you to do so). However sometimes parents/carers are not contactable so please make sure your child knows what to do in such an event.  Please ensure they know where to go to be safe and dry until parents/carers arrive home.

Before pupils set off for school

It is highly unlikely that we shall take the decision to close the school before the start of the school day.  The school will endeavour to be open for those who can get in, however it may not always be possible.

Parents and transport operators can see local weather conditions better than we can see them from school.  We ask both parents and drivers to use their discretion about whether or not they feel it is safe to make the journey.

After pupils have set off for school

Parents need to be prepared for the possibility that:

• their children have set off for the pickup points in the morning but the coach has not arrived to pick them up.
• following warnings of deteriorating weather conditions drivers bring children home from school earlier than scheduled.

In the above cases parents need to have made arrangements in advance to ensure the pupils have somewhere safe to go until parents return home.

When children are sent home early because of deteriorating weather conditions the telephone at school cannot be used by 589 pupils at once, hence the need to ensure that families have contingency plans in place.

Pupils can usually stay with us until the end of the school day however on very rare occasions the police instruct us to close during the day and get everyone off site.  Please ensure that you have made it clear to your children what they should do if school has to be closed early. 

Emergency closure

If extreme weather conditions persist and it is impossible to open the school, we shall communicate information to you via:

RADIO YORK         FM 103.7 and 104.3 or Medium Wave 1260 and 666 or www.bbc.co.uk/york

MINSTER FM        FM 104.7

PARENT MAIL      This only works if you have registered with Parentmail (please contact Mr Ivan Martin if you have not yet registered)

This will be a very rare occurrence, so if you hear nothing, please assume the school is open.

Parents can also help by:

• contacting the school to forewarn of worsening local weather conditions.
• ensuring children have an emergency contact number and sufficient change or their mobile phones are topped up to make a call if they become stranded.

Closing the school is not an easy option and is a last resort.  Your co-operation and forbearance will be much appreciated.  If you have any questions or comments about these arrangements, please bring them to my attention.

NYCC also offer a guidance booklet  “Provision of School Transport Services During Severe Weather” reflects “good practice” which should, if followed, ensure everyone’s safety.

This can be found by clicking on the link below…

http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=18805&p=0

M McCandless

Acting Headteacher