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Emergency Closure Arrangements

 

Our aim is always to try and keep the school operating normally as much as is possible. However there can be

extreme circumstances when a school needs to close eg power failure for a period of time, extreme adverse weather conditions etc. At this time, it is pertinent to remind parents/carers of these arrangements. If we need to send pupils home, the following points should be noted:

 

Parents/carers should give clear instructions about the procedure to be followed if pupils are sent home unexpectedly. Pupils will not be sent home unless the school is aware that someone is at home to receive them or that alternative arrangements have been made. Please discuss with your child the arrangements you would expect if the school had to close unexpectedly either before the school day begins or if an emergency closure had to occur during the school day.

 

Parents/carers should err on the side of caution when deciding whether to send their child to school in bad weather. Pupils who are transported to school should be given firm advice about the length of time they should wait if transport does not arrive at the usual time and what action to take thereafter.

 

Now that we have the ‘Groupcall’ facility, all registered parents should receive a ‘Groupcall’ message should the school have to close due to unforeseen circumstances providing the service provider is able to connect to the mobile telephone.

 

The Council website (www.dumgal.gov.uk) and BBC Radio Scotland (94.7 FM) local bulletins (6.54am and 7.50am) usually also give details of school closures. Westsound local radio (97.0 FM) also announces school

closures and lists these on their local radio bulletins.