Reasons to close a school
- insufficient staff able to get in
- this is likely to apply to teaching staff particularly who are less likely to be 'locals'
- insufficient staff will cause difficulty with respect to staff:pupil ratios and the ability to safely manage the school
- severe travel restrictions – this may effect staff and/or other services required for the school to operate
- conditions around the school being so severe (snow, ice) that
it presents a major obstacle or danger, however:
- local icy conditions in themselves do not necessarily mean that the school should be closed
- care can be taken in getting to and from school and outdoor breaks avoided if unsafe
- risks should be assessed realistically and take account of preventative action such as salting and gritting
- heating failure or inability to sufficiently warm school to
reasonable and acceptable levels
