Bad Weather Arrangements
Arrangements in Bad Weather Where School is Closed
When there is snow falling across the country it is time to make preparations in school. As always, we will keep school open if at all possible. Parents and carers are to assume that, unless announced otherwise, the school will be open in adverse weather conditions, including snow.
The school will only close if:
- Advised to do so by the Local Authority.
- Met Office warnings advise ‘non travel’ in and around the immediate vicinity of the school.
- Limited numbers of staff at school prevents ‘acceptable’ adult to pupil ratios (This can not often be pre-empted)
- Conditions are reported to worsen making it challenging for staff or children to get home.
Informing Parents and Carers
We will make a decision as early possible and put closure notices on the school website and upload a post to Class Dojo. We will also inform the local media too so there maybe announcements on local media. Remember: Staff at Ridgeway are also impacted on if other schools close, in the same way that you are. This can reduce staffing levels even if we intend to open.
Arrangements in Bad Weather Where School Remains Open
Deciding to travel to school or take your child out of school, even if it is open.
A minority of parents express that keeping a school open places them at risk by remaining open as it was it can be unsafe to travel. It is the responsibility of parents and carers to decide if it is safe for them to travel to school. The Headteacher cannot make such decisions on your behalf.
In exceptional cases, the school can authorise absence as a result of problems caused by adverse conditions, such as road closures, traffic delays and similar. However, parents electing to take their child out of school when it is not closed should assume that absence is unauthorised unless informed otherwise.
Morning Drop Off
- ALL children should enter school via the Main School Office and a member of staff will take them to their classroom.
- Normal start times will still apply
- The gate opposite the main entrance will be the only gate opened. Usually, all other gates will be kept locked
End of Day Collection
- The gate opposite the main entrance will be the only gate opened. Usually, all other gates will be kept locked
- ALL parents and carers will be asked to come into school through the main entrance to collect their child from the classroom
- School will be open from 3pm for children to be collected
We hope that this system will prove successful and ensure that everyone can safely come onto the school site to drop off and collect their child. We will of course keep you updated with any changes to routines and systems.
A ‘Common Sense’ Approach to Snow
As an accredited OPAL School, we prioritise being able to give Ridgeway children high quality play provision all year round - this includes in the snow!
Of course, careful consideration will take place prior to break times as to the conditions of the playground, snow and ice, in order to assess or reduce risk, however children should anticipate being outdoors.
Suitable Clothing
In all circumstances children should arrive at school with clothing suited for outdoors, including:
- Warm, waterproof coat
- Hat and gloves
- Wellington boots (or similar) – named with a permanent marker or similar - Please take your child's boots from the welly rack so they can walk to and from school in if needed.
- A change of foot-wear