Marsden Infant & Nursery School

At school, we are aware that the timings of our decisions to close the school are critical for parents and carers, trying to get their children to school and then get to work.

Following a heavy overnight snowfall, we always try and take the judgment on school closure as early as possible in the morning. We aim to make this decision early enough so that parents and carers can make plans for their day if we need to close. If there is a heavy snow fall during the day, we will inform you if school needs to close. This will happen when we are concerned for children and staff getting home safely. We follow our risk assessments for health and safety both on the school premises and for safe travel.

Snowfall Overnight - School Closure

Heavy snowfall overnight may result in access to the school being restricted or may stop children, parents/carers and staff from getting to school safely. If these conditions apply, the following steps will be taken:

• The Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team will evaluate the prevailing conditions at the school site and in the area.
• Staff will contact the Headteacher as early as possible, to advise of their capability of getting to work safely. 
• If access to the school is regarded as too dangerous or there would be too few staff to teach and care for our children, taking into account ratios, due to the ages of our children, the Headteacher and SLT will make the decision not to open school.  We aim to make this decision by 7.45am, particularly to assist parents and carers of children attending the school.
• The Headteacher will then register the school closure with Kirklees. This information will be posted automatically on the Kirklees Council Schools – Emergency Closures page.
• The school will communicate what is happening to parents via class dojo.

Delayed opening

In the event that poor local road conditions result in staff taking a longer time to arrive at school, the Headteacher may decide to open the school later or extend the time for registration so that everyone can get to school safely.  If the decision for opening later is agreed, following steps will be taken:

• The Headteacher will register the delayed opening of the school with Kirklees Council. This information will be posted automatically on the Kirklees Council Schools – Emergency Closures page.
• The school will communicate what is happening to parents via class dojo.
• Our school website will be updated with information regarding the delayed opening.
  • The Senior Leadership Team will need to assess the number of staff members who can be in school in enough time for a delayed start. We will then aim to keep the school open, but continue to reassess the situation throughout the day. If, at any point, it is felt that the children should go home, the school will contact parents and carers via class dojo/email for an early closure and request collection of the children.

Snowfall during the School Day

In the event of a heavy snowfall and/or there is a significant deterioration in local conditions occurring during the school day, so that the return home may become unsafe, then the Headteacher may decide to close the school.  The following procedures will be followed:

• The Headteacher will register the school closure with Kirklees Council.
• Parents will be contacted by class dojo. If necessary, we will contact via phone.
• Staff will remain on site to supervise the children with an acceptable ratio of staff to pupils until all the children are collected.  

Snow Clearance

• If there is heavy snow on the ground and weather forecasts show that no more snow is expected to fall in the locality, we will attempt to clear and make safe our school grounds, paths and parking areas as quickly possible.