Schools should operate normally wherever feasible and only resort to closure or early closure in exceptional circumstances.
If it is necessary to close a school due to adverse weather conditions or any other unforeseen circumstance, Head teachers are encouraged to make a decision, normally in liaison with their Chair of Governors, as soon as possible. Head teachers may wish to refer to the Inclement Weather and Related Emergencies policy (see appendix 1 below).
-
Document
-
Document
In the event of adverse weather, consideration should be given to:
- State of pathways, steps and slopes around the school
- Condition of roads and pathways in the local area
- If the school's heating, lighting and water is working correctly
- Whether catering can be provided
- Availability of public transport and school coaches
- Weather forecast
Every effort must be made to inform staff, parents/carers and the local authority at the earliest opportunity.
Where the decision is taken to close the school part way through the day, pupils should not be sent home unless the headteacher is confident of their ability to make the journey safely, gain access to their homes and be safe there. Every effort should be made to accommodate children who cannot return home before the end of the school day.
Process for Informing Parents, Carers and the Local Authority
The process allows schools to update the county council's web site for parents in real time, allowing parents to get up to date information on their child's school in the quickest way possible. In addition, a smart phone version of the school closure list is also available for any parents on the move or without PC access.
To update the county council's web site, schools are now provided with an online interface. Head teachers can log in to this with their usual SLN logins, and can access the interface from anywhere with an internet connection. So for example, if a head teacher is unable to get to school themselves, they can update parents from their own home using the online facility.
Radio stations use the county council's web site to check for closures as this will hold all the most up to date information, which they can then broadcast to their listeners.
In order to minimise unnecessary queries from parents, schools are encouraged to let parents know about the process, and to refer them to the publicly available emergency closures page.
Parents can also sign up to the county council's alert system which links into the above process to alert parents of their specific closures via text and email.
How to log in to close your school
Important note: if you have converted to academy status, please be sure to use the correct log in otherwise whilst the closure will be accepted by the system, it will not link correctly to your base to display which school the closure is for. It’s easy to tell whether you're using the old IDs or the new as they’re different formats, with the old being 3 letters and 2 numbers (aaa00) and the new 4 numbers, 2 letters and another 2 numbers (0000aa00).
Academies who have bought into the budget pack information can use the same log in (but see note above). If you do not have a SLN login, please contact the helpdesk on digital@staffordshire.gov.uk.
The system is simple to use but we have provided some instructions below should you need them
Informing Staff and Other Visitors
In addition to the above process, schools may already have a locally agreed procedure to inform staff.
Other methods of communication with staff and parents/carers may include:
- Notice on school gates
- Notice on school web site - please refer (link) parents to the public emergency closures page for the latest information
- Message on school answerphone
- Text alert to parents
We also ask schools to ensure they contact any planned visitors to school to inform them of the school closure, as well as your catering supervisor, cleaning services supervisor and contractors of any school transport that bring pupils to your school.
For further information regarding operational school transport issues, the following contacts may be helpful:
East Staffs (including Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Uttoxeter and Lichfield)
Catherine Brown Tel: 01785 276738
Lee Johnson (SEN) Tel: 01785 278213
North Staffs and Stone (including Newcastle under Lyme)
Pauline Mutimer Tel: 01785 278679
Tracey Wetton (SEN) Tel: 01785 854118 (including Stafford)
Stafford, South Staffs (including Penkridge, Cannock and Rugeley)
Anne Holt Tel: 01785 278718
Lynsey Greatbatch (SEN) Tel: 01785 278678
What about inset days?
Please use the above facility to update parents on inset days as well as emergency closures. The facility is intended for planned and unplanned closures to ensure parents can easily check if their school is closed in any circumstances.