Benefactorum Recordatio Jucundissima Est

Things done well make the best memories

Sir Norton Knatchbull - 1637

School Closure Procedure

There may be an occasion, for a variety of reasons, that the school is required to close for the day or longer. If this is necessary, the school will follow the procedure below to best inform our parents/carers and pupils to ensure everyone is aware and any necessary safety procedures are followed.

The school will close if:

  • The site is deemed to be unsafe for students and staff
  • There is an insufficient  number of staff available to supervise students

In addition, the school will monitor the travel conditions carefully. School coaches may contact the school to inform us that they have to collect students early. Should this be the case, we will publish this information on our school website and contact parents via our Keep Kids Safe messaging service. Parents/carers can also view all school closures by visiting www.kent.gov.uk/winter or www.kentclosures.co.uk/

Parents and carers may deem it necessary to collect their child from school early due to poor travel conditions in their local area. They should inform reception that they wish to collect their child and should ensure that their child signs out at reception before leaving the site.

Closing Procedure

1. If closure is deemed necessary before the start of the school day:

  • We will publish our school closure details on www.kentclosures.co.uk/ 
    This will trigger Kent radio stations (KMFM, Radio Kent, Heart FM) to broadcast these details at regular intervals.
  • We will also publish this information on our school website and inform parents/carers via our Keep Kids Safe messaging service.
  • Please note that the radio stations do not want schools to inform them if they are actually staying open. Please also note that the school will not display a message to say it is open.
  • We will inform coach companies in case of school closure and they may also publish this information.
  • We will email all staff to inform them of the closure.

2. If closure is deemed necessary during the course of the school day.

  • If we are closing the school fully, we will publish this information on our school website, on www.kent.gov.uk/winter and www.kentclosures.co.uk and contact parents/carers via our Keep Kids Safe messaging service.
  • If school coaches are collecting students early, we will also publish this on our website and contact parents/carers via Keep Kids Safe.
  • Parents are required to telephone the school if they wish to collect their child early due to poor travel conditions in their local area.
  • Students will be required to sign out at reception when they leave the site.
  • Students are able to remain at school supervised until the end of the school day or such time as the parents and carers are able to collect them, provided that it is safe to do so.