Severe Weather Arrangements

Very occasionally, severe weather can create conditions which affect the ability to keep the academy open. A decision to close may need to be made in the following circumstances:

• Severe weather occurs when the academy is already open and the severe weather incident occurs or is forecast for the middle of the day;
• The night before a severe weather incident has been forecast;
• Early morning after or during a severe weather incident.

 The main considerations in making decisions to close are:

• Health and safety of students, staff and visitors travelling to and from and around the site;
• Travel delays at the start of the day causing supervision issues in the academy;
• Ability to provide food for students and staff during the academy day;
• Effects of the extreme conditions on the academy site; and
• Travel considerations later in the day for a safe journey home.

Whenever there is an academy closure, parents / carers will be contacted in the following ways:

• via this website (on the front page);
• via text (if you have a mobile phone registered on the academy database);
• local radio stations.

Only the Executive Principal can make the decision to close the academy. All Headteachers in the Felixstowe double pyramid have pledged to work together to co-ordinate opening / closure in severe weather across the town.

The only definitive guide to school / academy closures is the Suffolk County Council School Closure Website on http://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk/schoolsrolite.php?qtown=felixstowe.