Extreme Weather Statement and Learning

The decision to close the school, adjust school routines or amend planned activities will always take account of the safety of all pupils, families and staff.

Severe weather may include, but is not limited to:

• Heavy snow or ice
• Extreme heat
• High winds
• Flooding
• Severe storms
• Any other weather conditions that present a risk to health and safety

In line with our Remote Learning Policy, teachers will provide class-specific learning via Purple Mash and Teams from the day after the first full day of school site closure.

We will always endeavour to keep the school open whenever it is safe to do so. However, there may be occasions when weather conditions require us to make adjustments to normal routines, planned activities or, in exceptional circumstances, close the school.

During Extreme Heat

When temperatures are exceptionally high, we may implement additional measures to help keep children safe and comfortable. These may include:

• Relaxed uniform arrangements, including allowing children to wear PE kits.
• Increased opportunities for drinking water throughout the day.
• Additional shaded play opportunities and reduced time spent in direct sunlight.
• Adjustments to PE lessons and sporting activities, including moving them to cooler parts of the day or postponing them.
• Adaptations to break and lunchtime arrangements.
• Reviewing educational visits, trips, open sessions and outdoor events.
• Additional reminders regarding sun cream, hats and appropriate clothing.

Parents will be informed of any temporary changes through ParentMail.

Snow and Ice

During periods of snow or icy weather, we will make every effort to keep the school open where it is safe to do so. Decisions will be based on:

• The safety of pupils, families and staff travelling to and from school.
• The condition of roads, pavements and school pathways.
• The ability to safely supervise pupils on site.
• Staffing levels required to operate the school safely.
• Weather forecasts and advice from relevant authorities.

Where possible, pathways and key access routes will be treated and inspected before the start of the school day. However, parents and visitors should be aware that surfaces may remain slippery and should take extra care when accessing the site.

Educational visits, outdoor learning activities and wraparound provision may be amended or cancelled if conditions make them unsafe.

Attendance Measures During Severe Weather

We understand that severe weather can sometimes make journeys to school more difficult.

If you anticipate arriving later than usual, please contact the school office so that we can update the register accordingly.

In rare circumstances, families may become temporarily unable to travel safely, even when the majority of children are able to attend school. In these exceptional situations, parents should contact the school so that we can discuss the circumstances and record attendance appropriately.

Please note that assuming the school is closed without confirmation, or failing to notify us of the reason for absence, may result in the absence being recorded as unauthorised.

Communication

If severe weather results in a school closure or significant change to normal operations, we will notify families as soon as possible via:

• ParentMail
• Text message
• The school website
• School social media channels where appropriate

Please ensure that your contact details are kept up to date.

If Conditions Deteriorate During the School Day

In the event that school opens as normal but weather conditions worsen significantly during the day, we will aim to remain open until the end of the school day wherever possible.

If remaining open becomes unsafe, families will be contacted and asked to collect children as soon as possible.

• Verbal permission will be accepted for children to be collected by a nominated adult.
• Children will remain supervised by school staff until collection.
• Learning activities may be adapted to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children.

Staffing

We appreciate that staff will make every reasonable effort to travel to school during periods of severe weather. However, some journeys may take longer than usual or become unsafe.

The school will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that pupils remain supervised and learning continues wherever possible.

Additional Measures

Depending on the nature of the weather event, additional precautions may include:

• Requesting packed lunches if catering provision is affected.
• Altering start or finish arrangements.
• Amending trips, visits, clubs or wraparound care provision.
• Restricting access to certain areas of the school site.
• Any other measures deemed necessary to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We will always place the safety, wellbeing and education of our children at the heart of any decisions made during periods of severe weather.