Procedures used in the decision to close Northwood Prep. and Nursery in the event of adverse weather conditions

Our aim is to avoid, as far as possible, any uncertainty and confusion in the event of possible school closure. We believe that the best way to do this is to communicate as fully as possible with our parents.

There are rare occasions when school will find it necessary to close. These are usually occasions when adverse weather means that the school site is unsafe and poses health and safety risks to the school community. Untreated roads on the private estate and hazardous driving conditions are also taken into consideration.  Regular information is obtained from the Met. Office and the Highways Agency, as well as local reports from BBC and Sky weather sites.

Decisions on whether or not to close the school are never taken lightly. They involve both the Senior Leadership Team and representatives of the school’s Governing Body. The first consideration is always the safety of the children. In adverse weather conditions, where staff live some distance from school, the journey to school may be too hazardous for them to set out and, once here, equally hazardous for them to get home. Health and Safety risk assessments mean that we cannot open the school if there are insufficient staff in school to properly supervise the children or indeed provide a meal for them during the school day.

In the event of adverse weather:
A decision will be made between 6.00 am and 7.00 am as to whether the school should be open or needs to be closed.
In the event of closure, the school will send:

• a text message
• an email and
• put a notice onto the school website ‘home page’ (www.northwoodprep.co.uk)
  (Please remember to ‘refresh’ the website to make sure you are reading the  latest news)

I hope you will find this information helpful if difficult and dangerous weather conditions arise.  We will always do everything in our power to avoid school closure and appreciate your support at these very difficult times.