School Closure Arrangements

School Closure Arrangements

On very rare occasions it is necessary to close the school due to severe weather or other emergencies. Any such action is not only for the safety of students when travelling to and from school, but also for the safety of the staff; many of whom have lengthy journeys into school and home again, sometimes in more extreme conditions than are experienced on the coast; this can cause acute staff shortages in school.

If the school is forced to close due to bad weather the following procedures will apply:-

Heavy Snow Overnight.

Notice of any school closure or delayed start to the school day will be posted on the homepage of this website and a notification issued through the school’s Arbor messaging system. 
The Essex County Council - Schools Closures Webpage shows details of all school closures.

When the school remains open the final decision regarding travel to school rests with you.
If you choose to keep your child at home under these circumstances you will be required to ring in and notify us, as you would do for any other absence.

Heavy Snow during the School day.

When conditions for travel are deemed to be unsafe, deteriorating, or safety on the school site cannot be maintained; a decision will be made as to when to allow students to leave and make their own way home.
Any decision to close the school during the day will again be posted on the school website and a text message via the Arbor messaging system.
The school will remain open, with staff supervision, until the last child leaves the premises.

Please make a plan in advance with your child to ensure that they have somewhere to go if they arrive home early in the event of a school closure during the day.

Parental Enquiries during the School day

If you are concerned about deteriorating road conditions please check the website first to see if we are closing thus allowing students to leave earlier.
A prominent pop-up notice window will on the website homepage will detail any important information.
Any notification will be issued through the Arbor messaging system.
You are also welcome to ring the school; however lines may well be very busy.

Please do not rely on social media for information

Social media sites can often be misleading, if parents/carers are in any doubt, please always check this website or the Essex County Council - Schools Closures Webpage for clarification; this is the official notification for parents/carers to follow.

External Examinations

If external examinations are scheduled for a day when it is necessary to close the school, then the examinations will continue as planned wherever possible. Details will be communicated using the methods detailed above.