Chartridge Combined School

School closures - snow procedures

We recognise that decisions about school closure or delayed opening during snow are time-critical for families. Following significant overnight snowfall, we aim to make closure decisions as early as possible to support childcare and work planning. If conditions worsen during the school day, we will provide as much notice as possible to support safe collection arrangements. All decisions are made carefully, with pupil and staff safety as our absolute priority.

School Closure: Overnight Snowfall

If heavy snow makes travel or access to the school site unsafe, or if staffing levels fall below safe teaching ratios, the following steps will be taken:

  • The Headteacher will assess conditions at the school site and locally.
  • Staff will confirm whether they can travel safely, before 7:30am.
  • The Headteacher and Chair of Governors will decide on closure, aiming to confirm this by 7:40am, particularly to support families who use Breakfast Club.
  • The closure status will be registered with Buckinghamshire Council’s Emergency School Closures system, which will also notify local radio partners - https://closures.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/check-if-your-school-is-closed/
  • Parents and carers will be informed via text message, email, and the school website.
  • The school website will be updated with any home-learning guidance, where appropriate.

Delayed or Extended Registration

If the school remains open but road conditions make travel slower or more difficult, we may:

  • Delay the school opening time.
  • Extend the registration window to support safer arrival.

If this applies, families will be notified via text, email, and the school website.

Closure During the School Day

If conditions deteriorate significantly while pupils are already in school:

  • The Headteacher may decide to close the school early.
  • Parents and carers will be contacted to arrange early collection.
  • Pupils will remain safely supervised on site until collected, with appropriate staffing ratios maintained.
  • Parents and carers of children attending after-school provision will also be informed so that collection arrangements can be made.

In all cases, if the school opens, parents and carers must make the final decision on whether travel is safe for their family, even if arrival is later than usual.

We are very grateful for your understanding in such circumstances beyond our control. 

Thank you!