10 Jan 2010 - Emergency Closure & Snow Procedures
ST.DAVID’S C/W PRIMARY SCHOOL
COLWINSTON
PROCEDURES IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSURE DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS
On rare occasions there may be cause to close the school due to severe weather conditions e.g. heavy snowfall. Since the weather can deteriorate rapidly, below is an outline of the contingency plans the school would instigate in such circumstances.
Overnight Snowfall
In the event of heavy snowfall overnight causing the closure of local country roads (including the approach roads to school) the school will not open. Such a decision will only be made if there are insufficient staff to man the school safely or if the safety of the children is compromised. The decision to close will be made between the school, the Chair of Governors and the LEA. Parents should contact the school or the Local Education Authority for confirmation of closure via the school's or Vale's websites (or for further information telephone numbers below) and are advised to listen to the local radio for information regarding school closures. The following radio stations will broadcast school closures:
Real Radio; Red Dragon; Bridge F.M.;
BBC Radio
Please note that the school web-site is updated daily with information
Persistent Snowfall During the School Day
In the event of persistent snowfall during the school day, when the children are already at school, parents should contact the school for the latest information either by telephone or by going to the school's web-site. A decision regarding closure will need to be made promptly in order to send children home safely/or be collected by an adult who has parental approval to collect the child, before further heavy snowfall causes the local roads to become impassable.
Parents who arrive at school to clarify the situation re-closure, will be asked to wait in school until a decision has been made regarding closure (the same procedure will apply to those parents who drop off children in the morning when snowfall has started).
If the decision is made to close the school, every effort will be made to contact parents to notify them that the school is closing and that arrangements must be made to collect the children from school or bus stop (if they use school transport). No child will be sent home without satisfactory supervision. The safety of children is paramount.
School Transport
If conditions deteriorate during the school day and your child uses school transport, every effort will be made by the transport company to get to school to transport the children home as soon as possible. However, in extreme conditions, this may not be possible.
Conclusion
Children’s safety is our primary concern, and parents’ co-operation is essential in times of severe weather conditions in order for the school to implement these arrangements.
Telephone Numbers
School : 01656 656447
Local Education Authority (Civic Offices, Barry) : 01446 709100
School Bus Companies :
EST: 01446 773333 (Morning run)
EASYWAY:01656 655655 (Afternoon run)
Web-Sites
School:
Vale of Glam. L.E.A.:
BBC Wales news: January 2010