Please see below the current advice provided by Hampshire County Council regarding emergency school closures:

Emergency school closures

• Schools should aim to remain open as far as possible.
• However, in extreme circumstances, where the safety of pupils may be compromised, schools will need to consider a full or partial closure.
• Is it possible to open for certain year groups, or to run a shortened day?
• Where staff are available, as many children as possible should be provided for.
• The decision to close should be taken by the Headteacher, usually in partnership with the Chair of Governors.
• Possible reasons for a full or partial closure may include:
  • No heating
  • No water supply
  • No electricity
  • Insufficient staff (eg due to bad weather) to maintain the safety of pupils
  • Severe weather which makes the site and/or surrounding area unsafe

• If severe weather is forecast, schools should put in place appropriate contingency measures eg gritting pathways etc. If possible, a message could be included in the school newsletter/ on school website to say that severe weather is expected and warning that closure is a possibility.

• Once the decision to close has been made, the Headteacher should ensure that arrangements are in place to communicate with parents. This may include a combination of:
  • ParentMail or similar system
  • Message on school website (nb – are sufficient members of staff able to update the website remotely?)
  • Message on school answerphone
  • Message on noticeboard outside school
  • Staff manning the gate at the start of the day
  • Message on local radio