Emergency Closures
Please see below the current advice provided by Surrey County Council regarding emergency school closures:
Emergency school closures
- Schools should aim to remain open as far as possible.
- However, in extreme circumstances, where the safety of pupils may be compromised, schools will need to consider a full or partial closure.
- Is it possible to open for certain year groups, or to run a shortened day?
- Where staff are available, as many children as possible should be provided for.
- The decision to close should be taken by the Headteacher, usually in partnership with the Chair of Governors.
- Possible reasons for a full or partial closure may include:
- No heating
- No water supply
- No electricity
- Insufficient staff (eg due to bad weather) to maintain the safety of pupils
- Severe weather which makes the site and/or surrounding area unsafe
- If severe weather is forecast, schools should put in place appropriate contingency measures eg gritting pathways etc. If possible, a message could be included in the school newsletter/ on school website to say that severe weather is expected and warning that closure is a possibility.
- Once the decision to close had been made, the Headteacher should ensure that arrangements are in place to communicate with parents. This may include a combination of:
- Email or Text Message
- Message on school website (nb – are sufficient members of staff able to update the website remotely?)
- Message on school answerphone
- Message on noticeboard outside school
- Staff manning the gate at the start of the day
- Message on local radio
This should be read alongside the school's adverse weather policy (see policies area of website).