Snow Closure
LADY ELIZABETH HASTINGS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL SNOW PLAN
When the local area experiences severe snow or icy conditions Lady Elizabeth Hastings Primary School will aim to remain open as long as:
- The site is safe to access.
- Staff can get to school safely.
- There enough staff to safely supervise the children.
- Meals can be offered. This may include a cold alternative.
- A member of the leadership team is on site.
The school will aim to stay open to ensure continuity of education and to ensure that families that do not have suitable childcare arrangements in place are not disadvantaged or financially penalized by a decision to close.
The decision to close the school can only be taken by the headteacher. Notification of closure will be through our text service and on the website. It is vital that parents read the message themselves rather than rely on a verbal version from others. Arrangements may be very specific and change from day to day.
The senior member of staff on site will organize the staffing allocations irrespective of normal responsibilities. The priorities will be (in order of importance):
- Safe supervision of the children.
- Continuity of education for Year 6 and Year 2.
- Continuity of education for other year groups.
It may not be possible to meet all these priorities. Alternative activities matched to the age of the children and the skills of the staff member will be offered if priority 3 is not possible.
Alternatives to closing the school include:
- Late start
- Early Finish
- Access for a restricted group of pupils
Managing the site:
When the site is snowy or icy a small number of designated access routes will be identified and kept clear and gritted. These routes will be routinely publicised to parents. Thick snow may not be cleared as this can be safer than a cleared route that has frozen. When possible compacted snow will be cleared by shovel and ice will be gritted.
Outdoor playtimes will still take place as long as the senior member of staff on site deems it safe to do so and pupils have suitable clothing. They should also bring some changes of clothing, including socks.