Severe Weather Procedures

If there is a snow fall during the night and conditions dictate that school cannot open then we will contact parents and carers via text to inform you that school is closed. The school website, answering machine and council website will also be updated with the latest information and advice on a regular basis. The recent request for updated parental contact information has now been processed onto the system – if you have not already done so please forward updated contact details as a matter of urgency so that you can be included in text messaging. Please note that you cannot reply to the text messages.

You can also listen to the local radio stations which will broadcast school closure details.

I must stress that if school can be opened safely, then it will be. Decisions to close our school are a last resort. In order to safeguard your child in the unlikely event of school closure during the school day, a text message will be made informing you of the decision so that you can make arrangements to collect your child early. Any children not collected will remain in school with a member of staff until your arrival.

Severe Hot Weather

How we deal with hot weather in school

The DFE advice states that during severe weather conditions, we should keep our schools open and let as many pupils attend as possible, where safe to do so. In most cases, schools are the safest place for children during hot weather, as staff can actively monitor pupils, ensure regular hydration, and make adjustments to keep them cool. Children may also not be any cooler at home than in school.

As headteachers we are required to take practical and necessary steps to keep children safe and comfortable in school. Any decision to close school partly, fully or for part of the day will only be taken after careful consideration of the safety of our children and staff. The imperative is to remain open. If school is temporarily closed, vulnerable children will be prioritised for face-to-face education and home learning will be available.

In school we make a number of changes and adaptations to keep children safe in hot weather, especially as children are more at risk of becoming ill with heat-related issues than adults.

• Children are encouraged to hydrate and keep drinking water throughout the day. Staff regularly remind them to do this and they refill their water bottles as often as they like or are provided with access to water
• School is air conditioned in the hall, the forum, the teaching and learning centre and the EY/KS1 ICT suite. Opportunities to access these air conditioned rooms throughout the day for lessons is available to all classes
• We make the air conditioned halls available at break times as an alternative to going outside
• All classrooms have fans and rooms are ventilated as much as possible
• Indoor blinds are closed to keep heat out
• Classroom lights may be switched off to reduce heat
• Children are allowed to bring in ‘handheld’ fans for use in lessons
• Children are allowed to wear hats and caps for extra sun protection
• We advise parents to ensure children have sunscreen on prior to attending school to protect their skin
• We ensure children utilise the shaded parts of the playground at break times for those that go out
• We encourage children to not play vigorous physical and energetic games at break times
• Lessons are adapted for the hot weather to more appropriate sedentary type activities
• Staff remind children about taking their jumpers off if they are wearing them on arrival to class
• Electric lighting is kept to a minimum and electrical equipment is turned off when possible to reduce heat generation
• Collars, top buttons and ties can be loosened. Staff also allow our children to take their ties off in class if they so wish

Uniform in extreme hot weather

I am aware that a number of schools allow children to wear PE kits in extreme hot weather and I have been asked this question by some parents.

My view is that our summer uniform is cooler than the school PE kit which is nylon/polyester. It is light in colour and suitable for the hot weather. Therefore,  summer uniform should continue to be worn

Boys-Cotton short sleeved shirts and grey tailored shorts and ties for the boys

Girls-Navy light blue gingham dresses

Thank you

Mr Platt