PROTOCOL FOR DEALING WITH SEVERE ICE AND SNOW
Occasionally, severe ice and snow makes Highfield’s playground, paths and car park dangerous. Although the Director of Children and Young People’s Services urges us to keep the school open if at all possible, we have to consider the safety of the whole school community. We also have to consider if the outlying conditions may prevent staff being able to get to school. Furthermore, severe conditions could affect the heating or hot water systems, cause burst pipes and floods or prevent the delivery of food for school meals (a legal requirement).
ARRANGEMENTS
In order to minimise lost education days and the disruption to parents the school will take the following steps:
- As soon as is reasonably possible, make an announcement and display information on the schools website. www.highfield-primary.trafford.sch.uk
- Inform parents of school opening or closure as soon as is reasonably possible by Parent Mail and text.
- Inform Trafford Council. All closure information can be found by visiting www.trafford.gov.uk/schoolclosures.
- Provide Radio Manchester with the school’s current status of being open or closed (or a delayed opening). BBC Radio Manchester on 95.1FM – 104.6FM – DAB Digital radio – www.bbc.co.uk/radiomanchester, BBC iPlayer Radio app on a mobile or tablet device. Twitter @bbcradiomanc and via facebook.com/bbcradiomanchester – Parents/Carers can search for the latest Greater Manchester snow news using #GMsnow http://bbc.co.uk/manchester
- Inform parents either by Parent Mail, text or telephone to collect children should the weather deteriorate during the day, forcing school to close early.
HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
- In case the school should close and parents are able to get to work, it is advisable to make preparations in advance for the care of their children.
- Ensure that children wear appropriate warm and waterproof clothing and footwear and bring a spare pair of socks.
- We have previously requested that parents/carers do not drive cars down Bridgenorth Avenue and this is particularly relevant in snow and icy conditions.
