‘Schools should, wherever possible, stay open in severe weather. They play a key role in their communities and by staying open help both their pupils and parents.’ –Department for Education

Every winter brings the possibility of snow and ice. Extreme bad weather can cause widespread and prolonged disruption. Schools are often affected and it can be difficult to maintain an education service.

As a fundamental principle every effort must be made to keep a school open, even if only limited numbers of pupils can attend. However, schools may close due to ‘unavoidable’ circumstances. Those circumstances being that it is no longer safe for staff or pupils to be onsite.

Our school will make every effort to prepare for severe snow/ice this winter and the normal expectation should be that the school is open. If we do experience severe weather resulting in hazardous and unsafe conditions, we may have to take the decision to close the school. Once a decision is made to close, we will:

• Send a message to parents/pupils via Parent Mail
• Inform the Kent School Closures website 

If the school is forced to close during the day, we will immediately send a message to parents via Parent Mail.

If the school is open, but that you feel the journey is not safe for your child, please contact the school to report the absence in the usual manner.

Please be aware that if the school is open, absence may be considered unauthorised.

Please Note – We will only contact parents if the school is closed. This will be done by 7:30am