Adverse Weather & School Closures
Extreme Weather & School Closure
We would like to remind you of what happens if there is extreme weather e.g. snow.
We will always endeavour to open, even in bad weather, however if the weather is extreme, careful consideration will also be given to the safety of children, their families and school staff travelling to and from school.
In the event of adverse weather we have three options:
- to open school as normal
- to open school with a later start time and/or earlier (or staggered) finish time
- to close school completely all day
A decision will always be based on the best information available, including the latest weather information and official advice from the local authority and emergency services.
Account is also taken of what neighbouring schools are doing – and it is often the case that there is a flurry of calls between Headteachers very early in the morning when we are all faced extreme weather conditions.
Information will be shared via our 'Parentmail' service with texts AND emails being sent out to explain what is happening.
It is therefore very important that we have up-to-date contact information.
We will also share information on our website: www.st-johnfisher.org so please keep check it.
If we are closing early - or not opening at all - we will notify Sheffield City Council, who will post the information on their website and send out alerts to parents/carers who have signed up for them.
We will also notify BBC Radio Sheffield, who will make announcements 'live' on air and post the information on their website also.
We will not notify either if we are opening as usual however.
Late Start
If we are opening later we will share the revised start time via text, email, website, website alert, Radio Sheffield and Sheffield City Council.
Typically, a later start time will either be 9.30am or 10.00am. This means that children can arrive right up to the stated later start time without being marked as ‘late’ in the register.
Children can also be dropped off before and will be looked after by school staff in school.
JPAC will contact customers directly with information about arrangements for before, and after-school care.
Early Finish
Sometimes when we are open weather conditions deteriorate during the course of the school day.
If this happens, we will notify parents/carers via text, email, website, website alert, Radio Sheffield and Sheffield City Council.
Parents/carers will be asked to collect their children either at a specific time or as soon as possible (if there has been a rapid change/deterioration in weather conditions).
The timing of an earlier finish will always depend on the weather conditions and on the best information available at the time.
As staff will remain with children until they are collected, please try hard not to be late.
Please note that if you are not contacted (and there is no information on the website) then school will be closing at the normal time.
Phoning School
In the event of extreme weather, parents/carers can:
- read the text messages and emails sent out
- check the school website for information
- check the BBC and Sheffield City Council websites for information
- listen for announcements on Radio Sheffield
It can be challenging when the phone is clogged up with parents/carers calling school to confirm information that has already shared by us using all the means already outlined. We will always aim to get information out as soon as possible, so please help us by only phoning school if it is important or an actual emergency.
Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.
