Severe Weather
If at all possible, Stocks Green Primary School will stay open during all weathers. On occasions however, the school may need to close. If this is the case, a message will go out on local radio stations before the start of the school day.
Local Radio information is given out on:
Radio Kent (96.7 FM, 97.6 FM or 104.2 FM) · KMFM Radio (96.2 – 107.9 FM)
We will also display a message on the home page of our school website and an email will also be sent via Arbor to inform parents of the current situation.
A list of school closures can also be found at www.kentclosures.co.uk.
We will always aim to make a decision to close as early as possible on each day of potential school closure, as we do not want parents and children to travel unnecessarily. However, assessing whether we have enough adults in school to open can take a while, particularly as many of our staff do not live within walking distance. This is further complicated by localised snow conditions and disruption to public transport.
In order to assist us in making a decision as early as possible and communicating this to you, please DO NOT contact the school by telephone to find out if it is open. This blocks the phone lines and hinders the school from assessing whether it can open.
If a decision to close cannot be made the night before, we will always aim to make a decision and inform you between 6.30 a.m. and 7.00 a.m. on the day of any closure.
We recognise that some parents may have difficult journeys to school and that you have the responsibility of getting your child/children to and from school safely. You will need to decide if the journey is safe when severe weather affects driving and/or walking conditions, but please inform the School (after 8.00 am) if your child is to be absent due to severe weather conditions.
If the school should have to close during the school day because of deteriorating weather conditions, parents/carers will be informed via Arbor.
On occasions, school meal services may be affected by weather conditions, although we would expect this to be carefully managed by Nourish.
The school firmly believes that snow can present a fantastic learning opportunity and, as it is not a regular occurrence in England, should be enjoyed by the children when the opportunity presents itself. Below, there is some information about learning activities which your children could complete on snow day, whilst making the most of the conditions!
To assist us in being able to open, we may also ask for volunteers to help clear our school site. If this is the case, a message will be sent out via Arbor.
In the event that we are open, any special arrangements for the day, such as early closing, will be communicated to you.
As stated earlier, the school believes the snow to present a fantastic learning opportunity. In snowy weather, where possible, the children will get time to play and learn outside. As such, wellington boots or an old pair of shoes is essential! A change of clothes is also very useful. Unfortunately, those children who do not have a change of footwear will be unable to play outside in snowy conditions.