Severe Weather Procedure

Should very severe weather conditions prevail, I would be grateful if parents would observe the following procedure:

The school will remain open at all times and children will be expected to attend school unless –

• You have previously been notified of school closure;
• Closure information has been posted under “Emergency school Notices” on:

School closures (somerset.gov.uk)

• Radio announcements have been broadcast, listing the schools as specifically being closed. Please listen to local radio station –

BBC Radio Somerset

• Children live too far, and conditions are too bad even to attempt a journey.

Parents are expected to make themselves aware of school closure if it is clear that a closure is a possibility.

The school appreciates that during bad weather children may arrive later than normal; parents should endeavour to contact the school to let them know they are on their way if likely to be delayed. The school recognises there will be isolated instances where families are cut off, even where the clear majority of children can get into school. In such instances parents should inform the school of the circumstances of this exceptional situation, as the school has a duty to clarify the circumstances of each case so as to be able to formally authorise the absence to the Local Authority.

Parents acting on the assumption that the school would be closed without gaining confirmation, or failing to inform the school of the circumstances that prevents the child coming into school risks their child being registered as an unauthorised absence.

Where the school is officially closed, all pupil absence is counted as authorised absence.

During adverse weather conditions, the playground may be out of bounds to parents and children at the beginning and end of the school day.

We will endeavour to make a decision about school closure as early in the day as practical, ideally before 7am. PLEASE DO NOT PHONE THE SCHOOL.

After a period of closure, a message will be sent to the parents/staff below to advise them of the school’s reopening.

In the event of the school having to close during the day due to unforeseen worsening weather or similar unforeseen circumstances, parents will be contacted by phone either at home or work and asked to collect their child/ren. Such an early release will only be contemplated in very extreme circumstances. Children will not be sent home unless accompanied by a parent or adult nominated by a parent.

Every effort will be made to keep the school open and parents should ensure that children should attend.