Severe Weather
A reminder will be issued to parents whenever weather forecasters predict dangerous driving conditions due to snow or other conditions.
The aim is to keep the school open for as long as it is reasonable and safe to do so. It is recognised that school closure can have a major impact on pupils’ families and carers. The decision to close the school will only be made in consultation with North Lincolnshire Council, St. Hugh’s College and the home-school transport providers.
Home-School Transport The school has no control over the home-school transport arrangements. It is down to the individual drivers who know the school best to make a decision about whether it is safe to make the home-to-school journey. This means that some or all home-school transport vehicles may not operate when the driving conditions pose significant risks.
School staff
The decision to close the school rests in part on how many staff are available. There has to be sufficient staff to run the school safely. Since most staff do not usually come to school until 15 or 20 minutes before the school is due to open, staffing levels may not be known before 9.00.
Staff are expected to try and come to school unless the journey would be hazardous. It is down to the individual staff members to make that decision. More than half of the staff live more than two or three miles from the school (i.e. a reasonable walking distance) and may not be able to come in when the driving conditions are poor.
Information for Parents When driving conditions are likely to be difficult, do make regular checks on the weather forecasts. If heavy snow or freezing are predicted, be prepared for there to be problems.
The home-school transport providers will try to inform parents and carers when the decision has been made that transport is not available. However, it may not be possible to contact all parents and carers before the time that their child is normally picked up.
Any notifications of school closure will be broadcast on regular radio bulletins on Lincs FM 102.2 (97.6FM in Scunthorpe) or Radio Humberside (95.9FM, 1485am). You can also check on the North Lincolnshire Council website (www.northlincs.gov.uk).
You can also ring the school to check whether it will be open but do not ring before 9.00.
In the event of children having to go home early from school due to worsening weather, the school and the home-school transport providers will endeavour to contact parents and carers before taking the child home.
Transporting Your Own Child Do not assume that the school will be open. Ring after 9.00 to check. By then it should be known whether there are sufficient staff for the school to remain open.
If you bring your child to school and the home-school transport is not going to be available, you must be prepared to take your child home at the end of the school day or earlier if the need arises due to worsening weather or other factors.
Please ensure that the school and the home-school transport people have your current phone number.
If children cannot be picked up directly, the school will maintain a skeleton staff of volunteers who live locally to supervise children until parents can pick them up.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THIS POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE HEADTEACHER.
The aim is to keep the school open for as long as it is reasonable and safe to do so. It is recognised that school closure can have a major impact on pupils’ families and carers. The decision to close the school will only be made in consultation with North Lincolnshire Council, St. Hugh’s College and the home-school transport providers.
Home-School Transport The school has no control over the home-school transport arrangements. It is down to the individual drivers who know the school best to make a decision about whether it is safe to make the home-to-school journey. This means that some or all home-school transport vehicles may not operate when the driving conditions pose significant risks.
School staff
The decision to close the school rests in part on how many staff are available. There has to be sufficient staff to run the school safely. Since most staff do not usually come to school until 15 or 20 minutes before the school is due to open, staffing levels may not be known before 9.00.
Staff are expected to try and come to school unless the journey would be hazardous. It is down to the individual staff members to make that decision. More than half of the staff live more than two or three miles from the school (i.e. a reasonable walking distance) and may not be able to come in when the driving conditions are poor.
Information for Parents When driving conditions are likely to be difficult, do make regular checks on the weather forecasts. If heavy snow or freezing are predicted, be prepared for there to be problems.
The home-school transport providers will try to inform parents and carers when the decision has been made that transport is not available. However, it may not be possible to contact all parents and carers before the time that their child is normally picked up.
Any notifications of school closure will be broadcast on regular radio bulletins on Lincs FM 102.2 (97.6FM in Scunthorpe) or Radio Humberside (95.9FM, 1485am). You can also check on the North Lincolnshire Council website (www.northlincs.gov.uk).
You can also ring the school to check whether it will be open but do not ring before 9.00.
In the event of children having to go home early from school due to worsening weather, the school and the home-school transport providers will endeavour to contact parents and carers before taking the child home.
Transporting Your Own Child Do not assume that the school will be open. Ring after 9.00 to check. By then it should be known whether there are sufficient staff for the school to remain open.
If you bring your child to school and the home-school transport is not going to be available, you must be prepared to take your child home at the end of the school day or earlier if the need arises due to worsening weather or other factors.
Please ensure that the school and the home-school transport people have your current phone number.
If children cannot be picked up directly, the school will maintain a skeleton staff of volunteers who live locally to supervise children until parents can pick them up.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THIS POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE HEADTEACHER.
| severe_weather_policy.doc |
