INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/CARERS
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 email service. Please make sure that your school has up to date contact details from you.
- We will ask the Parent Fundraising Group to post on their Facebook page also.
-
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 email account.
-
Please note that emails 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 email alerts when the status of a school changes. The first email will be sent when the school closes and a further 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 to a high 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.
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 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 Seesaw or email– make sure that you provide your mobile number and email address details to the school office so that we can contact you by Groupcall
- Online– All the news and information you’ll need is online. Visit 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.
How can my child continue with their studies when the school is closed?
- Teachers will communicate learning arrangements via Seesaw to both pupils and parents for our infant classes and via Glow to our senior pupils.
- We have robust systems in place to ensure minimum disruption to learning should weather cause a school closure.
Stay informed this winter by going online at www.fife.gov.uk/winter, following us on Facebook, Instagram and X and tuning in to Kingdom FM, Forth One and Tay FM and K107 FM
· In an emergency, you can call the council on 03451 55 00 11 (faults and repairs) and 03451 55 00 99 (out of hours)
· Be prepared and stay safe this winter. 😊#readyfife #readywinter
If you and your family need some help with the cost of living there’s a range of advice and support on theour.fife.scot/gethelp website. While there you could take a free, online benefit check using the Fife Benefit Calculator, to make sure you are getting all the support you and your family are entitled to.
If you’re unable to access information online? Call our Community Support Line 0800 952 0330 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)our.fife.scot/gethelp
