Extreme Weather and Closure of Schools
Whenever possible St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School & Footsteps Nursery will remain open. However our paramount concern is the safety of our community – our pupils, parents and staff, many of whom travel a distance to school each day. During extreme weather conditions, we make every effort to keep the school open for as many children as possible. However, in some circumstances, following completion of a risk assessment, we may decide that it is necessary to temporarily close the school. Reasons may include:
- Too few staff members can reach the school
- Advice is issued against travelling
- Risk of injury to pupils, staff or visitors due to the weather conditions
- A failure of the school’s heating systems
In such circumstances we will always attempt to give parents advance notice, but due to the unpredictable nature of some weather events this may not always be possible.
The Headteacher, in consultation with the chair of governors, is responsible for making decisions to close a school. Rather than telephone the school for general information, please follow the process below as this makes it easier for families with urgent calls to contact school. If it is necessary to close the school, we will communicate information as early as possible via the following:
- In the first instance – please check your mobile phone (WhatsApp or Twitter) for any updates.
- Secondly, please check your email (ParentMail) for any notification.
- Thirdly, you could listen to the local radio stations
If weather conditions deteriorate overnight, St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School & Footsteps Nursery will make a joint decision as early as possible in the morning, or the previous evening if appropriate, with regard to opening or closure.
If the weather for the whole day is unclear, we may open at 10.30.a.m. in order to clear the site and address health and safety issues whilst also providing additional time for safer travel for staff and families. Should conditions deteriorate prior to the 10.30am opening we would announce a full day closure as soon as possible.
If weather deteriorates during the school day and we need to close earlier, parents will be contacted as outlined above.
Please note that if Bracknell Forest Local Authority issues a blanket closure of schools, all schools will abide by that decision and this plan will not operate on that day.
Remember to please contact the school office if another adult will be collecting your child.
Decisions to close the school are never taken lightly, but unfortunately may sometimes be necessary for the safety and wellbeing of the school community.
