Keeping schools open in bad weather
December 2007
Dear Headteacher,
We have already had our first experience, this year, of schools being closed
due to snow and so I wanted to take an early opportunity to encourage you, in
the interests of keeping your school open, to review the measures you have in
place to reduce disruption to learning as a result of bad weather.
My two main messages are (i) please plan ahead; and (ii) make sure — in line with HSE's 'Sensible Risk Management' campaign — that you take a proportionate approach to risk as you take decisions regarding whether to remain open or close your school.
Plan ahead: Please assess now what hazards any snow, for example, could bring; identify the measures you already have in place to reduce risk to your pupils and staff; and do your best to bring in any extra measures which will enable your school to meet as normal despite bad weather.
Take a proportionate approach: DCSF advises local authorities that decisions on whether an individual school stays open in bad weather should be delegated as far as possible and should be consistent with clear information for parents in each local area. If the decision to close or remain open rests with you, you will have to balance the risks arising from less supervision, late return journeys, minor slips and bumps etc against disruption to pupils' learning.
Closing your school could be the right decision, where your judgement is that pupils or staff would face significant risks of serious injury. But, please remember that every lesson counts; and consider whether it would be reasonably practicable for you to keep your school open.
You should know that DCSF has changed attendance guidelines so that schools staying open in bad weather need not show as 'absent' any pupils who cannot attend due to home-school transport being cancelled.
You can find out about local conditions forecast for your area by checking
the Met Office website. I include some Questions and
Answers but please tell me if you would like any further help from the
DCSF.
I have copied this letter to Directors of Children's Services and Chief
Executives in Local Authorities.
Yours sincerely
Ralph Tabberer
Director General of Schools
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Last updated: 30 November 2007
