Castleford Academy Trust
Castleford Academy Trust
You are here: Policies - Extreme Weather Policy
| Version No: | Date Reviewed: | Review Date: |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 03.01.2023 | 20.06.2025 |
In the event of extreme weather, such as when heavy falls of snow or extreme icy conditions
develop overnight and continue into the next day, or excessive and continuous heat, parents should
follow the advice below about the possibility of academy closure.
Whenever possible, the academies within Castleford Academy Trust will remain open. However,
each academy must consider the safety of all of our pupils and staff, some of whom travel a great
distance into school each day.
Should the need arise, in severe weather a decision about whether to close, or partially close, an
academy will be made as early as possible by the Headteacher in conjunction with the CEO/relevant
Director of Education. In some instances, a decision may be made to partially open the site e.g. in
order to protect examination year groups. Relevant information will be shared via:
If heavy snow is falling or has fallen overnight, we ask parents/carers to check the above for up to
date information. All relevant information will appear on the individual academy websites. Please do
not telephone the academy before 8.00am. If you do arrive at school, please do not leave your
children without confirming that the school is to remain open.
Once the academy is open for the day, it will usually remain open until the end of the normal
academy day, though Academy Leaders will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day.
In the event of extreme inclement weather, such as when heavy falls of snow or extreme icy
conditions develop overnight and continue into the next day, or excessive and continuous heat,
staff should follow the advice below about the possibility of academy closure.
Whenever possible, the academies within Castleford Academy Trust will remain open. However,
each academy must consider the safety of all of our pupils and staff, some of whom travel a great
distance into school each day.
Should the need arise, in severe weather a decision about whether to close an academy will be
made as early as possible by the Headteacher in conjunction with the CEO/relevant Executive
Leader. In some instances, a decision may be made to partially open the site e.g. in order to protect
examination year groups. Relevant information will be shared via:
It is the Trust’s expectation that staff should make all efforts to attend school and report to the
Headteacher (or delegated person) on arrival. Any staff unable to travel to school should follow the
usual absence procedure.
Once the academy is open for the day, it will usually remain open until the end of the normal school
day. Academy Leaders will monitor the weather throughout the day.
Decision-making process during extreme weather conditions:
The decision to close any or all of the Academies will be made by the Headteacher in conjunction with the CEO:
If the school is to close (or partially close):
If the school is to close (or partially close):
It is essential that the decision to re-open an academy following closure is taken as early as possible
in order to ensure that pupils are not away from education for longer than necessary. Where
possible the decision to re-open should be taken the day prior to re-opening, in order to ensure that
the re-opening message can be communicated to parents/carers and pupils.
Each academy should update their closure information regularly, including the expected reopening
date on the academy website. The decision to reopen will be made be made by the Headteacher in
conjunction with the CEO/relevant Executive Leader and communicated to the Extreme Weather
Group.
Relevant information about reopening should be communicated to parents/carers at the earliest
opportunity via:
Links in the Policies Section