Snow Closure

Every winter brings the possibility of snow and ice. Extreme bad weather can cause widespread and prolonged disruption. Schools are often affected and it can be difficult to maintain an education service.

As a fundamental principle every effort must be made to keep schools open, even if only limited numbers of pupils can attend. However schools may close due to ‘unavoidable’ circumstances. Those circumstances being that it is no longer safe for staff or pupils to be onsite.

We recognise that it is important our school remains open so parents are able to work and pupils can continue to learn. Charing Church of England Primary School will make every effort to prepare for severe snow/ice this winter by ensuring that we have a supply of salt/grit, a pathway is cleared and gritted, and fire exits are clear.

How will we let you me know if the school is closed?

If we do experience severe snow/ice resulting in hazardous conditions, Miss Crockford may have to take the decision to close the school. Once this decision has been made we will notify parents via the school app (OurSchoolsApp in app stores), via the school website and via the Kent Closures website. To determine whether Charing Church of England Primary School is open or closed using the Kent Closures website, please visit www.kentclosures.co.uk. Search for the school in the search box. The Kent Closures website can also be used to find out if other services in Kent are open or closed, such as nurseries, children’s centres and libraries. We also recommend parents sign up for SMS/Email alerts on the Kent Closures website. This service will send an SMS or email alert to let parents know if Charing Church of England Primary School is closed. Parents can also listen to KMFM, BBC Radio Kent or Heart FM to hear if the school has closed.

Whilst we will do all we can to remain open, even if only to provide supervision for the children, we must take into account the safety and welfare of the pupils, the staff and the parents both on-site and travelling to the school.  The decision to close, partially or completely, is never taken lightly and is always a decision based on all available information and takes into account a range of factors.