INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/CARERS

This page gives Parents/Carers answers to questions about school closures.

What kind of school closures are there?

• Emergency – where the building cannot open as there is no hot water, the heating is not working or power failure.
• Planned – Where the school building is closed for elections, industrial action or when utility companies are doing planned maintenance work to gas, water or electric services in the area and all services are to be shut off. Schools are notified in advance of these closures and Headteachers will notify Parents/Carers of these closures.
• Severe Weather – Headteachers will make the decision locally to close where severe weather prevents the school from opening.

How will I find out if my child’s school is closed?

• The most efficient way is via the school through their Groupcall text message and email service.  Please make sure that your school has up to date contact details from you.
• Headteachers will make the decision as early as possible on the night before or day of the closure and will contact you once this is confirmed. Messages from Groupcall, will be automatically sent to your mobile phone and/or email account.
• Schools may also use other methods of contacting Parents/Carers, such as school bag mail.
• Please note that text alerts and email issued via mobile network providers, may be delayed where there is high volume on mobile networks or the internet. Therefore, you should also make use of the other communication channels referred to on this page.

When will I receive further email or text alerts?

• You will only receive text alerts when the status of a school changes. The first text/email will be sent when the school closes and a further text/email will be sent only once the school reopens. If a school remains closed over more than one day, there will be no further automatic alerts until the school reopens.

My child has recently moved school?

• If your child has moved to a new school or from a primary school  you should ensure that the new school has your consent to use your email and mobile number details to send you messages relating to school closures

SEVERE WEATHER

What can Parents/Carers expect in cases of severe weather?

• The Education Service aims to maintain service delivery during severe weather and to minimise disruption to pupils and Parents/Carers.
• Where necessary, Headteachers will close their school as early as possible on the first morning of severe weather, to allow text/email alerts to be issued as quickly as possible.
• On very rare occasions, there may be the need to implement a blanket closure that may affect parts or all of Fife.  Updates will be provided through the communication channels below.
• Janitorial staff will prioritise the clearing of one pathway per school as an access route for all building users. This may not be your usual route into the school and it may not be the quickest route through the building.
• Where there is heavy snowfall in Fife, resources will be deployed to the worst hit areas and therefore the clearing of playgrounds and car parks will not be a priority until all schools are open.
• It may not be possible to have all School Crossing Patrol Officers on duty during the worst of the weather. You should make arrangements to ensure the safety of your child to and from school.

What are the main channels of communication during severe weather?

• By text or email through your school – make sure that you provide your mobile number and email address details to the school so that they can contact you by Groupcall
• Online– All the news and information you’ll need is online. Visit www.fife.gov.uk and click on ‘News Centre’ for up to date information.  Also, check the website of your own school.
• Follow–us on facebook.com/fifecouncil and twitter.com/fifecouncil.
• Listen to Kingdom FM, Forth One and Tay FM.

Please stay safe and warm: make sure that you allow extra time for any journeys made during severe weather and that you and pupils are dressed appropriately for the conditions and are wearing suitable footwear with grips.