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Goonhavern Pre-SchoolGoonhavern Primary School

Emergency Closure Procedures

Emergency School Closure Procedures

In case of adverse weather conditions which may result in closure of the school, I would like to make you aware of the emergency school closure procedures. Closure of the school is not made lightly and if it is at all possible to keep the school open, we will. The criterion used for a decision to close the school is listed below for your information:

In the case of extreme weather, a risk assessment is made by the Headteacher in consultation with the Chair of Governors.  The facts considered are:

  1. Are there sufficient staff able to get to school in order to ensure safe child/adult ratios?
  2. Do conditions on school grounds pose a hazard and therefore a risk to the health and safety of pupils, parents and staff?
  3. Is the temperature in school within accepted guidelines, and are all facilities (water, electricity, toilets and kitchen) operational?
  4. Are conditions forecast to worsen, which may put staff and parents driving home at risk?

Having assessed these risks, once a decision is made to close the school, Cornwall Council is notified and information is automatically passed to BBC Radio Cornwall, Heart FM and Pirate FM who announce the notice on their website and over the air.  The school Facebook page will also be updated. 

A full list of all schools closed in Cornwall can also be found here.  You may also find the following websites useful:-

Cornwall Snow Advice www.cornwall.gov.uk/snow
Environment Agency www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Devon & Cornwall Police www.devon-cornwall.police.uk

In any event, a member of staff will be at school in order to answer telephone enquiries on 01872 573311, however please be aware that the line(s) will be extremely busy or unavailable when a large number of parents are calling at the same time.