School Closure Arrangements
Decision-Making Framework
Authority and Responsibility
The headteacher holds the authority to make decisions regarding school closure on a case-by-case basis.
Key Considerations
When deciding whether to close, the following factors must be considered:
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Pupil safety and wellbeing - The primary consideration in all closure decisions
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Educational impact - Minimising disruption to learning
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Statutory compliance - You must comply with statutory safeguarding guidance that applies to you and your setting and your legal responsibilities, including health and safety laws The Key Leaders
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Childcare provision - Supporting families wherever possible
Circumstances for Closure
Severe Weather Conditions
Flooding or snow may mean you need to close your school temporarily because of inaccessibility or risk of injury. However, you should keep your school open for as many children as you can – especially vulnerable pupils – and do everything possible to reopen quickly.
Public Health Incidents
A single suspected outbreak or incident of infectious disease will not normally be considered an emergency. You can manage most infectious diseases by following the government's guidance on health protection in education and childcare settings.
The school should work with:
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Local authority
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Local director of public health
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Local Health Security Agency (UKHSA) health protection team
Staffing
Staff Shortages
Before deciding to partially or fully close due to staff shortages, consider the following temporary solutions:
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Remote learning measures for some or all pupils
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Employing supply staff
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Contacting other schools to discuss sharing staff
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Combining classes
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Using other staff and volunteers to supervise alternative activities
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Rearranging the curriculum
Minimum Staffing Requirements:
For a school to stay open, there must be at least 2 members of staff on site, and 1 of these must be a teacher.
Premises Issues
Water Supply and Facilities
Schools must provide suitable drinking water facilities that are in a separate area to the school's toilet facilities. The toilet facilities must have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities must have an adequate supply of hot and cold water.
In rare cases where water supply or water heating facilities are disrupted the school may be closed.
Other Premises Issues
Other premises issues that may require closure include:
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Significant or sustained power outages
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Lack of heating
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Fire damage
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The discovery of a major hazard
Remote Learning
When Remote Learning Should Be Provided
Where possible, temporary remote teaching for all or part of the school to minimise disruptions if the school site closes.
When Remote Learning Isn't Possible
Major staff illness or mass power and internet outages could mean the school has to close and can't deliver remote learning.
Communication Procedures
Notifying the Local Authority
We will let the LA know as soon as you've decided to close your school through the portal. The Head or Deputy will report the closure.
What the LA Will Do:
The LA will:
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Update its website with a notice that the school has closed
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Inform any local radio stations that report school closures
Notifying Parents and Carers
The school will notify parents/carers as soon as is possible so parents and carers have time to make other arrangements.
Communication Methods:
The school informs parents/carers:
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Directly, via mailing lists or text messages
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By notices on your school website and social media accounts
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By the LA's website
Safeguarding During Closure
Continued Safeguarding Responsibilities
Our school will be in regular contact with parents and carers. Those communications will be used to reinforce the importance of children being safe online.
Vulnerable Pupils
Special consideration will be given to vulnerable pupils during any closure period, ensuring:
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Continued contact and support
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Access to appropriate services
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Monitoring of wellbeing
Ofsted Inspection Deferrals
Circumstances for Deferral
Ofsted may defer an inspection if our school is closed to everyone, for example due to adverse weather conditions, for at least half the time for which the inspection has been scheduled, or a security incident or public safety concern in the local area might cause school closures, or have a significant effect on the routine day-to-day running of your school, or of the inspection.
Key Contacts
Internal Contacts
|
Role |
Name |
Contact Details |
|
Headteacher |
Sara Devo |
01562822463 |
|
AWO/Office |
Jenny Lockyer |
jlockyer@cpa.worcs.sch.uk |
