Severe weather warnings were issued this week as snow, ice and freezing rain swept across the UK, leading to travel delays and power cuts. More than 500 schools were closed as a result, predominantly in the north and west parts of the country.
Weather forecasts suggest that the UK may be hit by more snow next week with an ongoing risk of frost, fog and wintry showers. This blog will outline the procedures we advise schools to follow in the event of extreme weather.
Every effort should be made to keep a school open when severe weather occurs. Although it is hard to predict the next time we will experience severe weather, schools can take steps to ensure that they are well-prepared. Plans for weather-related emergencies should be built into school resilience/business continuity plans.
In the event of extreme winter weather, these plans will often include provisions for maintaining stocks of salt/grit, drying floors to control the risk of slipping, and ensuring the school heating system is in a state of good repair and working order.
Despite this, there may still be occasions where schools have to close due to unavoidable circumstances. Common factors that contribute to school closures include:
- Lack of staff due to travel disruptions
- Inability of parents to bring/collect children from school
- Low temperatures and unsafe conditions on site
The Department for Education (DfE) advises that the decision to close must be taken by school leaders based on their own risk assessment and understanding of any issues in the surrounding area.
In the Event of School Closure
Once the decision to close the school has been reached, it is essential to communicate this as soon as possible to parents, pupils, and other relevant parties. We have put together the following checklist to help you ensure the message gets out:
Communication Checklist
- Broadcast messages via text and email.
- Publish a notice on the school website.
- Leave a message on the school switchboard.
- Contact local radio stations and transport services.
- Post an update on your school’s social media.
- Send letters to parents and carers at the earliest opportunity.
- Inform your Local Authority or MAT where applicable.
- Refer parents/carers to the Local Authority website.
Don’t forget to ensure you have the up-to-date contact details for all staff, contractors, and emergency services.
On occasions, it may not be possible to alert all pupils in time to prevent them from attending school and it will be appropriate for them to be accommodated in school whilst alternative arrangements are being made. School staff must remain at school to supervise the pupils on site until they can go home. You should also consider what arrangements can be made for pupils entitled to free school meals.
If you have a planned partnership or multi-agency meeting regarding an individual child (e.g. a meeting about a Looked-After Child, or concerning a Child Protection issue), please contact the relevant social worker or local district office at the earliest opportunity.
Pupil and Staff Attendance
When a pupil cannot attend school due to adverse weather conditions, the school can mark the register using absence code Y, which means the absence will not affect the attendance statistics.
Similarly, when a school is closed, or staff have been unable to attend due to severe weather, they should not be expected to make up the time by giving up leave, using any of the five teacher days, or losing planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time.
Closing a school is never an easy option. However, the safety of pupils, staff and visitors is of paramount importance. Therefore, school closure should be considered a necessary response to unsafe conditions and individuals should not be penalised for this when normal arrangements resume.
One Education HR can deliver risk management support and consultancy to your school, assisting you with the development of health and safety policies and procedures whilst ensuring all legal obligations are met.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for further information, advice and guidance.
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