Bad Weather & School Closure Information

​​​

At Sudell Primary School it is of paramount importance that school remains open where possible but accepts that it may be necessary to close due to circumstances beyond our control.

​​​

Reasons may include (but this list is not exhaustive):

 

• Severe weather including snow, flooding or storms

• Accommodation problems, for example loss of power supply, heating failure or fire damage

• Disruption to staffing levels due to strikes or a severe sickness outbreak

​​

Factors involved in deciding to enforce a school closure will be based on:

 

• Access to school – road conditions (obstacles such as snow, ice, flood waters, availability of transport)

• Breakdown of essential school services – loss of heating, power, water or severe damage to the school building caused by a storm or other event)

• At times when weather conditions are so severe the Principal may consider that the Health and Safety of the pupils and staff are best served by closing the school.

• An advanced severe weather warning to close the school for the following day.

• The decision to close school will be made by the Principal in conjunction with the Chair of Governors and the Local Authority will be informed.

​​​

Procedure for informing parents / carers

 

In the event of severe weather, the school may need to close or delay opening. Any changes to the normal school day will be confirmed as early as possible in the morning through the following channels:

• School Website

• Class Dojo

• Facebook

• Email/Text Message

• Radio Lancashire

• BBC Lancashire News website

​

Delayed Opening or School Closure
If there is a significant amount of snow, the school may introduce a delayed opening time or, if necessary, close for the day. This decision will be made by the Principal once the estates team has checked that the building and access routes are safe for pupils and staff.

If the school closes, year-group ‘snowpacks’ will be available on our website for pupils to complete at home.

Please note that decisions to close the school are never taken lightly and are made with the safety of our children and staff as the top priority.

Important Information
Please do not ring the school during bad weather. Phone lines must remain free for staff to contact us regarding their journey and safety.

If school closes during the day, parents/carers will be contacted through the MCAS call system.
Please ensure your contact details are always up to date.

If the school remains open, children are expected to attend as normal to avoid unauthorised absences.

​