School Closures

The decision to close the school to all or some students is not taken lightly by the Headteacher and Governors and is an extremely rare occurrence. The school will only close if the safety of students is compromised, or if strike action makes it necessary.

In the case of bad weather (such as heavy snow), the decision to close the school will be made after considering the safety of the school site and consulting with school transport providers regarding the conditions of the roads. The safety of students traveling to and from school is paramount when determining whether the school should close due to weather conditions.

If the school needs to close before the start of the school day, the decision will usually be made before 7:00 am. Parents will be informed through email, text message, Facebook, and Twitter. A message will also be posted on the homepage of the school website. The following local radio stations will be informed and may usually announce the closure:

• BBC Radio Newcastle

• Hits Radio North East

• The closure may also be posted on Sunderland City Council's website.

The speed with which information is broadcast will vary depending on the severity of the weather and the number of school closures. Please note that the reopening of the school will not usually be broadcast, but updates on continued closures will be. Parents are advised to check the school website regularly for any updates after the initial closure notification.

If the school closes during the day, every effort will be made to contact parents via email and text message. No student will be released unless we are certain that they have safe transport home and a secure, supervised place to return to, whether through family members, friends, or other arrangements.

Please ensure that the school has up-to-date emergency contact details for your child. It is essential that we have accurate contact information in case of any urgent situations.

If you wish to discuss particular arrangements or have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact the school.