Adverse Weather Procedures
"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.
Newbald Primary endeavours to stay open wherever and whenever it is safe to do so. In the event of disruption caused by heavy snow the prime concern of the school must always be the safety of pupils and staff. The decision to close the school will take account of the safety of all our pupils and staff, some of whom travel a great distance to school each day. We recognise that it is important that our school remains open so parents are able to work and pupils can continue to learn. Newbald Primary School will make every effort to prepare for severe snow/ice throughout the winter months.
"The decision whether to close must, however, be for headteachers as they know their schools and surrounding areas. They should use common sense in assessing the risks and keep their schools open." Department of Education
The school appreciates that during bad weather children may arrive later than normal. Parents should endeavour to contact the school to let them know they are on their way if they are likely to be delayed to enable lunch orders to be placed if they are required. The school recognises there will be isolated instances where families are cut off, even where the clear majority of children can get into school. In such instances parents should inform the school of the circumstances of this exceptional situation, as the school has a duty to clarify the circumstances of each case so as to be able to formally authorise the absence to the Local Authority.
Parents acting on the assumption that the school would be closed without gaining confirmation, or failing to inform the school of the circumstances that prevents the child coming into school risks their child being registered as an un-authorised absence.
If we do experience severe snow/ice resulting in hazardous conditions, the Headteacher may have to take the decision to close the school. Once this decision has been made we will notify parents via the Arbor text messaging service and up to date school closures are also registered with the East Riding Council website and local radio.
To determine whether Newbald Primary School is open or closed please check your text messages or visit:
http://www2.eastriding.gov.uk/learning/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-closures/
