When the cold weather hits, schools across Northern Ireland can often close for a number of reasons, sometimes for days at a time.
With Met Office weather warnings in place for snow and ice, and temperatures quickly dropping, many may be wondering whether their children's schools will close in the coming days and if so, what decisions lead to the closures.
While most facilities and businesses stay open whatever the weather, schools seem to close relatively often in cold conditions.
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In Northern Ireland, schools are responsible for providing closure information, which is posted on NI Direct with the list updated every 10 minutes.
Before deciding to open or close a school during severe weather, the principal or an agreed deputy will determine whether children can safely travel to and from school, and if the site will remain safe throughout the day. A risk assessment is conducted taking into account factors including:
pupils and staff can get to the school building safely pupils and staff can evacuate the school in an emergency the Emergency Services could get to the school in an emergency the area is safe where pupils are dropped off buses and vehicles bringing meals or other services can reach the school there are enough teachers to supervise pupilsSchools may also need to close for other unforeseen circumstances not related to weather such as heating failure, no electricity, a burst water pipe, or the death of a teacher, pupil or someone working in the school.
Parents and staff will be told about exceptional closures using agreed methods. A school might use:
text message email local and regional media telephone social media channels online apps such as Seesaw, Class Dojo or Parent AppYour child’s school should make sure you know how they'll contact you if there is an exceptional closure. If the school uses text messages or email, you need to make sure that they have your mobile telephone number and email address. If you need more information, contact your child's school.
More information about school closures can be found by clicking here.
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