Head Teachers decide if, and when, schools should close due to bad weather or another emergency. In bad weather they will decide this after receiving information about local weather conditions. This decision can be made during any time, day or night.  These guidelines outline the procedures for dealing with school closures during bad weather or other emergencies.

If children are at school…

School transport contractors have been told not to allow children to walk home alone from drop-off points under any circumstances during extreme weather conditions. If you can’t meet or arrange for your child to be met, the school transport will return them to school or another place of safety.

Public service vehicles – drivers of these vehicles follow a specified route and keep to timetables – they cannot make special arrangements.

If your child attends a Nursery, Primary or Special School, which is to close early, the school will contact you by telephone. If this is not possible the school will contact your named ‘emergency contact’. No child will be released from school without contact being made. It is important contact details are current and the people named are available – particularly during bad weather.

If your child attends a Secondary School, because of the large number of pupils in Secondary Schools, parents will be contacted via text/email to inform them of closure.

If you are concerned about local weather condition, contact the school. You may wish to collect your child yourself and are free to do so provided you make arrangements with the school.

Before the start of the school day…

During bad weather some staff may not be able to get to school or bus routes may not be safe to travel on – so the school may have to close. Headteachers will advise parents and carers using the following communication tools:

Outwith school hours, your local radio station is a good place to find out information on school closures. The following radio stations receive updated information every 30 mins from Aberdeenshire Council’s website:

• Northsound 1: FM 96.9

• Northsound 2: MW 1035 kHz

• BBC Radio Scotland: FM 92.4 - 94.7MW 810 kHz

• Original 106 FM: FM 106.3

Aberdeenshire Council Website

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Apps/schools-closures/

You can sign up to receive email alerts when your school(s) updates their closure status:

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/myAberdeenshire/

You also have the option to download the myAberdeenshire app:

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/appdownload

Storm Addresses

When there has been severe snowstorm during the day it may be prudent for pupils who live some distance from the normal bus routes not to attempt to reach their homes but to spend the night in alternative accommodation nearer school. It is the parent’s responsibility to inform school about any pupils who may be at risk in such situations and to provide the name and address of a relative or friend who is willing to provide overnight accommodation.