WELSH HOUSE FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND RESOURCE BASE

It is always a very serious decision to close the school. We appreciate that it can cause significant inconvenience to parents, children and staff and will only take this decision when it is absolutely necessary to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our school community.

Reasons for Closing the School

Reasons for closing the school may include:​

 

• Severe snow, ice or other weather conditions making travel to and from school unsafe.

• Breakdown of the school heating system making it impossible to maintain a safe indoor temperature for children and staff.

• Extreme hot weather (heatwaves) where internal temperatures cannot be reduced to safe and acceptable levels despite mitigation measures.

• Extreme cold weather where classrooms and working areas cannot be maintained at a safe temperature.

• Flooding or a loss of access to mains water.

• A gas leak of undetermined origin.

• Loss of essential utilities, serious site damage, or any other emergency that presents a risk to the health and safety of pupils, staff or visitors.

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Managing Extreme Temperatures

Before considering closure due to extreme temperatures, the school will take all reasonable steps to maintain a safe learning environment. These may include:

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• Adjusting timetables and activities.

• Limiting outdoor activities during periods of extreme heat.

• Increasing opportunities for hydration and rest breaks.

• Using cooler or warmer areas of the building where available.

• Relaxing elements of the school uniform policy where appropriate.

• Implementing additional health and safety measures in line with guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Department for Education, Birmingham City Council and other relevant authorities.

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Closure will only be considered where these measures are insufficient to maintain a safe environment for pupils and staff.

Decision-Making

The decision about whether or not to close the school is taken by the Headteacher in consultation with the Chair of Governors whenever possible. The safety of pupils, staff and visitors will always be the primary consideration.

If a decision is made to close the school, it will be made as early as possible (or, where appropriate, the evening before) to prevent unnecessary journeys and allow families time to make alternative arrangements.

In exceptional circumstances, Birmingham City Council or another relevant authority may direct a blanket closure of all schools. Should this occur, the school will notify families immediately using the communication methods outlined below.

How We Will Communicate a Closure

The school will communicate any closure or partial closure in a number of ways:​

 

• Social media (School Facebook and X/Twitter)

• The school website will display an alert notice: Welsh House Farm Community School

• An email and/or text message to all registered parents via Arbor

• Local radio stations may also announce school closures

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Please Do Not Telephone the School

Please avoid telephoning the school to ask whether we are open. This can block the phone lines and there may be limited staff available to answer calls.

If you do not receive a closure notification through one of the methods listed above, please assume that the school is operating as normal and no further checks are required.

Learning During School Closure

If the school is closed, pupils can access learning activities through Oak National Academy:

Oak National Academy Learning Resources

Welsh House Farm Community School will endeavour to reopen as soon as it is safe and practical to do so and will keep families updated throughout any period of closure.