Emergency Closures Policy

KILBRIDE NATIONAL SCHOOL

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Emergency Closures Policy

Introduction

The school policy on emergency closures was drafted as a whole school exercise, involving parents, pupils, staff and Board of Management.

Rationale

The need for the school to produce a policy on emergency closures is primarily due to:

Inclement weather, such as heavy snowfalls, high winds etc.
Future building programmes and alterations to the design of the school.

Relationship to School Ethos

Kilbride National School strives to provide a child friendly, secure environment catering for all the needs of all students as far as is practicable and where respect is fostered in a culture which values diversity and difference.

Aims and Objectives

To provide for the welfare of all pupils while on the school premises.
To ensure a safe, child friendly school environment is available to all children.
To comply with Health and Safety legislation.

Procedures

Heavy Snowfall:

In the event of a heavy snowfall, the Principal shall consult with the Chairperson of the BOM as soon as is feasible, and a decision will be made as to whether it is in the interests of all parties to close the school. If the Government and the National Emergency Co-ordination Group issue a weather red alert, the school will be closed immediately.

Once it has been decided to close the school, Parents will be informed by text. Information will be posted on the school Facebook page and on the school website. Parents will be kept updated through these means of communication.

Disconnection of Services:

Where water or electricity services to the school are to be disconnected, a week’s notification is normally given to the school authorities. This enables the school to furnish the parent body with the relevant advance warning of such closures via circular or text.

High Winds/Thunderstorms:

The procedures in place for heavy snowfall are generally replicated in the event of storms/lightning. If the school has already opened and is in operation when high winds etc. occur and remaining on the premises is a risk to all - teachers will remain on the premises until all the children have been collected by either parents/guardians or bus operators.

Critical Incident/Death:

In some instances the school might remain closed for pupils in the event of a critical incident or death of a staff member, BOM member or pupil. Parents are informed of such closures either by circular or text. In this particular instance, the school may remain open to staff and BOM or Parents Association if issues such as church services, Guards of honour, readings or counselling is required (See Critical Incident Policy).

Please note:

All half days and in-Service closures are notified to parents at least one week in advance.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Emergency closures in the school place particular responsibilities on various personnel within the school chain of command;