Severe Weather Information for Parents

 

St. Andrew’s Church School, Taunton

 

 

Should very severe weather conditions prevail, I would be grateful if parents would observe the following procedure:

 

The school will remain open at all times and children will be expected to attend school unless –

 

• You have previously been notified of school closure;

 

• You have received a text from school, informing you of the school closure (by 8am on the morning of closure)

 

• Closure information has been posted on the school’s own website – www.standrewsbwmat.org

 

• Radio announcements have been broadcast, listing the schools as specifically being closed. Please listen to local radio stations.

 

• Children live too far and conditions are too bad even to attempt a journey.

 

 

Parents are expected to check the website and/or make themselves aware of the radio broadcasts when it is clear that a closure is a possibility.

 

The school appreciates that during bad weather children may arrive later than normal; parents should endeavour to contact the school to let them know they are on their way if likely to be delayed.  The school recognises there will be isolated instances where families are cut off, even where the clear majority of children can get into school.  In such instances parents should inform the school of the circumstances of this exceptional situation, as the school has a duty to clarify the circumstances of each case so as to be able to formally authorise the absence to the Local Authority.

 

Parents acting on the assumption that the school would be closed without gaining confirmation, or failing to inform the school of the circumstances that prevents the child coming into school, risks their child being registered as an unauthorised absence.

 

Where the school is officially closed, all pupil absence is counted as authorised absence.

 

In the event of snow, some pathways will be cleared and salted. Parents, children and visitors will be made aware that pathways, even where cleared, do remain dangerous.

 

Before and after school opening hours parents are responsible for ensuring their children do not slide on the school playground.

 

During adverse weather conditions, the playground may be out of bounds to parents and children at the beginning and end of the school day.

 

If in any doubt, please keep an eye on our school website, the school Twitter account and local radio stations. We will endeavour to make a decision about school closure as early in the day as practical, ideally before 7am and we will text all parents before 8am IF the school is closed. PLEASE DO NOT PHONE THE SCHOOL.

 

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure we have an up-to-date contact number. Please ensure you inform the School Office if you need to update your contact details.

 

After a period of closure, a message will be sent to the parents/staff below to advise them of the school’s reopening. Messages will also be posted on the school website.

 

In the event of the school having to close during the day, due to unforeseen worsening weather or similar unforeseen circumstances, parents will be contacted by text and asked to collect their child/ren.  Such an early release will only be contemplated in very extreme circumstances.  Children will not be sent home unless accompanied by a parent or adult nominated by a parent.

 

It is unlikely that a prediction will be made about the day following a day of closure due to severe weather.  Every effort will be made to keep the school open and parents should ensure that children attend.