General

Each season brings its challenges and winter's snow, ice and more extreme bad weather can cause disruption to families, schools, transport and work for all.

Chevening CE Primary School is committed to maintaining as normal a school offer as possible, but will prioritise safety when circumstances require either an adaptation to school timings, services or indeed, full closure. All decisions are taken with care and thought for everyone's well-being.

For information about salting routes, Kent County Council services, travel issues, etc please see www.kent.gov.uk/winter

Communication

If the school day is to be disrupted, including late opening/early closing, information will be shared via email, the school website, the Kent closures website and Twitter. 
Please note that you can sign up for free email alerts on the Kent Closures website, which is a simple way to keep informed.

Local radio stations, including KMFM, BBC Radio Kent and Heart FM sometimes provide information on school closures.
We ask our families to use these systems, as the school phonelines are limited and need to be kept free for emergency service contact.

If extreme bad weather, or hazardous conditions mean school has to be closed, we will use the above systems to keep our families informed and updated.

Actions for parents/carers

We ask our parents/carers to support the school during extreme bad weather/hazardous conditions by:

- providing a local emergency contact who is authorised to collect your child/ren in emergency situations;

- ensuring children are appropriately dressed (boots, gloves, scarves, thick coats, etc) and provide school shoes for indoor use;

- providing safe escort for children to and from school, especially during icy conditions, and using gritted pathways on school site; 

- providing a packed lunch from home, in case school dinner deliveries are not possible;

- understanding that the school day may need to be adapted/shortened, in order to keep children and staff safe. (NB Any decision to close the school will only be taken if there is no alternative.)

- continuing to use our communication systems (email, school website, Kent Closure website and Twitter) to confirm school decisions, arrangements and plans;

- being vigilant and considerate, so that everyone stays safe;