Emergency Closure of Colne Valley High School, including Snow Days

At school, we are aware that the timings of our decisions to close the school are critical for parents and carers, trying to get their children to school and then get to work. Following a heavy overnight snowfall, we always try and take the judgment on school closure as early as possible in the morning. We aim to make this decision early enough for parents/carers to not send their child to school, if there is a heavy snow fall during the day, with enough notice as possible for parents/carers or an alternate to pick up. Whatever the time of day, please be assured that the decision to close the school is taken after considering many factors, particularly the health and safety of our children and staff, and is not taken lightly.

 Snowfall Overnight

School Closure

Heavy snowfall overnight may result in access to the school being restricted or may stop children, parents/carers and staff from getting to school safely. If these conditions apply, the following steps will be taken:

• The Head of School will evaluate the prevailing conditions at the school site and in the area.
• Staff will contact the Head of School as early as possible, but before 7.30am to advise of their capability of getting to work safely. 
• If access to the school is regarded as too dangerous or there would be too few staff to teach the children, the Head of School and CEO will take the decision to close the school. We aim to make this decision by 7.45am, particularly to assist parents and carers of children attending the school.
• The Head of School will then register the school closure with Kirklees. This information will be posted automatically on the Kirklees Council Schools – Emergency Closures page.
•  The school will communicate what is happening to parents via email and text message.
• Our school website (www.thecvhs.co.uk) will be updated with information regarding the school closure.

 Delayed opening

In the event that poor local road conditions result in pupils or staff taking a longer time to arrive at school, the Head of School and CEO may decide to open the school later or extend the time for registration so that everyone can get to school safely.  If the decision for opening later is agreed, following steps will be taken:

• The Head of School will register the delayed opening of the school with Kirklees Council. This information will be posted automatically on the Kirklees Council Schools – Emergency Closures page.
• The school will communicate what is happening to parents via email and text message.
• Our school website (www.thecvhs.co.uk) will be updated with information regarding the delayed opening.
• • The Head of School will need to assess the number of staff members who have arrived at school by 7.45am. If there is a sufficient number of staff who have been successful in arriving at school, the Head of School will keep the school open, but continue to reassess the situation throughout the day. If, at any point, it is felt that the children should go home, the school will contact parents and carers via text and/or email of the early closure and request collection/ transport arranged of the children.
  • Parents will also be emailed by the school. The school status will be updated on our own website (www.thecvhs.co.uk).  
  • If the school is not forced to close, then normal pick up and collection arrangements will apply at 3:10pm all pupils.

  Snowfall during the School Day

  In the event of a heavy snowfall and/or there is a significant deterioration in local conditions occurring during the school day, so that the return home may become unsafe, then the Head of School may decide to close the school.  The following procedures will be followed:

  • The Head of School will register the school closure with Kirklees Council.
  • Parents will be contacted by text and/or email by the school. The school status will be updated on our own website (www.thecvhs.co.uk ).
  • Staff will remain on site to supervise the children with an acceptable ratio of staff to pupils until all the children are collected.  

  Snow Clearance

  • If there is heavy snow on the ground and weather forecasts show that no more snow is expected to fall in the locality, we will attempt to clear and make safe our school grounds, paths and parking areas as quickly possible. We request that there are no children on site during the clearance operation.