Co-op Academy Hamilton

Adverse Weather Policy

Policy details

• Date created - May 2024
• Date reviewed - June 2024
• Date approved - June 2024
• Next review date - June 2025
• Policy owner - L Brandrick

Adverse Weather Conditions

During the year there are occasions when we can experience adverse weather conditions. It is always very difficult when we have snow and ice to determine how this will affect travel etc. and I would ask that you follow the policy below if we experience any adverse weather conditions. Our policy is always to ensure children, parents and staff are kept as safe as possible.  

Wherever possible the school will remain open and staff will be here as normal. However, due to road and weather conditions some staff may be late arriving and the start of the school day could be affected. We would ask, therefore, that children do not arrive on these days until 9.00am or at the amended school start time stated in our communications.  

We always hope to be open as normal, however, we feel you should be aware of the following procedures to be followed in order to avoid any confusion should severe weather conditions cause disruption.

Before the start of the school day   

• If there are adverse weather conditions in the local area the site duty person contacts the Site Manager immediately (By 7:00am).
• Site manager to update the Headteacher before 7:15am with site update.
• The Headteacher, following advice obtained locally, will make a decision based on conditions at the schools and the surrounding roads and footpaths as to whether it is safe to open the school. A text message will be sent by the Headteacher and Academy Business Manager to staff and parents by 7:20am.
• To enable the school to open it may be necessary to delay the start time and again these details would be given to parents via local radio.  
• Parents are asked to note that it may not be possible for staff to answer the telephone and we would ask that you do not call before 8.45am. Listening to the local radio for details of any closure is the preferred method of communication. Text messages will also be used to provide updates to parents and staff regarding any school closure due extreme weather conditions.  
• Any closure will be detailed on the www.stoke.gov.uk and the academy website,  Co-op Academy Hamilton.

During the school day  

• Once a decision has been made to open the school, weather conditions will be closely monitored and only in the event of an extreme decline will the school be closed and parents will be notified by text message.  
• If the weather becomes severe during the day then parents may contact the school if they feel that they would like to collect their child early for safety reasons (i.e. travelling/walking long distances or collecting other children from local schools).  
• The school will remain open until the end of the school day; however, if parents are delayed due to the adverse weather conditions, they should contact the school as soon as possible to give an anticipated arrival time. Arrangements can then be made for the children to be cared for in school.  
• Children will be supervised until a parent/carer is able to collect them.  
• Parents must consider their own safety, traffic congestion and safety of others in these circumstances and understand that children will be cared for until it is possible for them to be collected.  
• Parents must follow the paths/routes that have been salted/gritted.  
• If poor weather conditions continue the Site Manager will call the Headteacher by 15:00, with an update on site situation, including surrounding areas and predict weather conditions overnight.  
• The Executive Principal in consultation with Trustees and Governors will decide if a next day closure is to be arranged or defer the decision after consultation with Trustees and Governors.

Gritting Plan

The school recognises that arrangements should be made to minimise risks from snow and ice. This may involve gritting, snow clearing and closure of some areas of the school site. All reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that the school remains open as normal. A risk assessment is in place which covers the hazards associated with snow and ice on the premises and identifies the control measures which need to be implemented. This risk assessment is reviewed annually during the autumn term.    

The Headteacher and Site Manager monitor local weather forecasts in order to react to situations as quickly as possible and implement any special measures. These measures may include staff starting work earlier to commence the gritting plan. The Site Manager and Site Staff will attend the school site as soon as possible in the event of snow and ice.    

Areas will be cleared (depending on weather conditions) and treated with salt/grit to maintain clear pathways especially where temperatures remain below freezing.  The site staff will ensure that the following route for parents is cleared from snow and ice and gritted accordingly.

The entrance to the academy will be a direct path from the pedestrian entrance gate to the Nursery, Reception and KS1 Entrances to the school.

Site staff will ensure car parks are gritted; this will include the disabled access path.

Site staff will ensure that all fire escape routes are cleared of snow and ice and gritted.

Site staff will ensure resources for gritting/ salting are maintained at an adequate level.

Site staff will report on the ground conditions at the school to the Headteacher at the earliest opportunity and no later than 7:00am      

Any particularly hazardous areas will be fenced off or signs displayed.

As time permits, other areas may be cleared and gritted as required.    

All pedestrians are to use the gritted pathways only 

Where the Headteacher or Site Manager have concerns over the safety of certain external pathways, areas, playground, etc., affected areas will be taken out of use and marked clearly using signs/cones/tape, as appropriate, to ensure that everyone is made aware. The local authority is responsible for gritting all external pathways and roads beyond the school property.  

Before the school gates are open and after school closes parents and carers are responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of their children.    

When the playgrounds remain excessively slippery due to compacted snow and ice, it may be necessary for pupils to be accommodated indoors at break times. If the playground does remain in use, it may be appropriate to increase supervision levels.    

Site to be checked regularly for safety after initial gritting process. Any signs to be displayed or areas fenced off as required or alternative routes clearly visible.  

Staff will

• Ensure children remain indoors when conditions are not safe for outdoor play. If children are taken outside then a risk assessment will be undertaken.  
• Make their way to school unless advised otherwise by the Headteacher.  
• Keep the Caretaking and Office staff aware if conditions deteriorate so that paths can be re-gritted.  
• Remain at school to supervise children unless directed otherwise.

All staff, parents and Community Council members can access this policy via our website – should any amendments occur then updated information will be available there.

We do hope this clarifies the policy for inclement weather at Hamilton Academy and we would ask that you keep this policy for future reference throughout the winter months.