REMINDER: Severe Weather Arrangements Letter – originally sent 18.01.19

Dear Parent/Carer

Re: Severe Weather Arrangements

As we move into the winter period, the likelihood of bad weather increases.  Longfield Academy will always try to remain open throughout these times as closing the academy at the first sign of snow interrupts learning and disrupts daily life significantly for all. However, in the event of severe weather we will primarily be guided by the bus companies, who transport the majority of our students and our site team who will assess the conditions at the academy. The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority.

Please note the following points:

•    We shall keep the Academy open and teach normal lessons, except in the most extreme circumstances.
•    Information will be posted on the website and a text message alert will also be sent. Please ensure your contact details are up to date on our records.  If you have changed your details       recently, please contact your college admin team.
•    If it snows, we will be in constant contact with the transport companies and if services are running as normal, lessons will end at the normal time. We will release the students to go home if the transport companies advise us to do so.
•    Please agree a contingency plan with your son/daughter which can be used if the Academy closes early.
•    Please ensure that your child is coming to school with an appropriate outdoor coat and footwear. Coats and boots are not permitted to be worn in the building, but a change of footwear is suggested if a walk home through poor weather is envisaged.

If the weather is so severe that the Academy does have to close early, we will endeavour to make the decision as early as possible.  Parents will be informed by text message before students are told.  Due to the unusual circumstances and safety concerns, students will then be given the opportunity to contact parents via their mobiles to confirm arrangements. The academy will remain open until all students have been able to travel home.

As we move into this winter period, attendance becomes challenging for some students.  All students should aim for 100% attendance and punctuality and we congratulate those students who have achieved this throughout terms 1 and 2.  Government and academy policy do not condone students taking holidays in school time because of the impact it has on student learning, progress and ultimately examination performance.  Thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Alex O’Donnell

Principal