Procedures in the Event of a School Closure
School Closure Procedures
The School Gateway app, email and text system allows the school to communicate with parents keeping them informed during emergencies or advising of any last-minute changes. It is therefore imperative that parents provide school with a telephone number for emergency contact and an email address.
Severe Weather
- In the event of adverse weather or hazardous travelling conditions the Academy will always seek to remain open with closure always considered as the last resort. School would only close if there is a risk to students and staff and it is considered unsafe to open.
- We recognise that conditions may prevent staff and pupils from travelling to school and whilst there is an expectation that staff and pupils should make every reasonable effort to attend, personal health and safety should not be compromised.
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If the school has to close due to severe weather this will be announced by 7.45am via the following,
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School Gateway app / email / text message
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Academy website
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Academy Facebook account
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Lancashire County Council website
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- We will make all practicable efforts to keep parents informed as to the situation with school during adverse weather conditions, as we appreciate that such conditions and uncertainty places considerable difficulties upon parents.
- We appreciate that during bad weather children may arrive later than normal. Parents should endeavour to contact the General Office to report that they are on their way if they are likely to be delayed.
- Parents acting on the assumption that the school will be closed without gaining confirmation, or failing to inform the school of the circumstances that prevents their child coming into school risks their child being registered as an un-authorised absence. Where the school is officially closed, all absence is counted as authorised absence.
Closure During the School Day
- Should weather conditions deteriorate during the day when students are already at school and it becomes necessary for students to leave school early, parents will be notified by via Gateway and text message and the website will be updated. We will also endeavour to ring those parents who do not use mobile phones or the Internet.
- School will not close until arrangements for the School Bus service have been put in place.
Other Reasons for Closure
These procedures will also be instigated where school has to close due to other issues such as failure of utilities (water, electricity or gas), breakdown of major equipment (e.g. boiler) or other emergencies.
