Unavoidable School Closures
1.Background
1.1These guidelines will assist schools with the occasions when they are required to close all or part of their school unavoidably. Schools should try to stay open unless a health and safety consideration makes it unsafe to do so.
2.Introduction
2.1Circumstances which may result in a school closure include gas escape, utility failures, pandemics or severe adverse weather. The Head Teacher is usually the best person to decide whether a school should close or not. However, if time allows and it is practicable, it is advisable to consult with the Chair of Governors and alsoyour Facilities Management (FM) Adviser at Gateshead Council, who maybe able to offer practical support.
3.Head Teacher Responsibilities:
3.1Ensure that the school is left in as safe a state as is possible under the circumstances.
3.2Email the school closures mailbox - d include the following information in your email:
- Full name of school
- Specific reason for school closure (i.e. not just “snowing”)
- Who has made the decision to close the school
- Expected date of re-opening
- Contact details for a key contact person
This will ensure that relevant parties within Gateshead Council are informed of your school closure.
3.3 If necessary, inform external organisations that use your school premises that the school
will be closed, (e.g. out-of-school providers, private nursery). If your school uses
Nexus for the School Scholar Bus Service, then inform them too about your school closure.
3.4 Ensure that parents/guardians are notified of the school closure (e.g. using the
Gateshead Council website, school texting service, school website or broadcasting via
radio stations). The following radio stations will accept information on school closures if a
code word is given by the caller. They will also need the same information that is required
for the school closures mailbox (ref. 3.2).
Radio Station / Telephone Number / Code WordBBC Radio Newcastle / 0191 244 1459 / Boris
Metro Radio / 0191 230 6100 / Metro Centre
Real FM / 0191 440 7555 / Team
The Journal* / 0191 204 3368 / Groat
*The Journal also have an email address –
3.5Report incidents, as soon as is practicable, using the Corporate Incident Reporting Form - HS20.
3.6Contact Transco as soon as possible on 0800 111999 following a gas escape or suspected gas escape. Where applicable (e.g. in a fire), contact the emergency services on 999. Following a fire, please contact Ken Wilson (Fire Safety Adviser) as soon as it is practical to do so on 0191 433 2266.
3.7Contact LES on 0191 433 7333 for emergency repairs or in the case of PFI schools, contact your Balfour Beatty Workplace contact.
3.8Where a school is temporarily without a utility service, (e.g. gas, water, heating, electricity), please contact your Health and Safety Adviser to discuss suitable action prior to closing the school.
3.9Ensure that in snowy/icy weather, caretakers or site managers should make arrangements to ensure that access and egress routes for the school are kept clear.
4.Employee Responsibilities:
4.1Support the head teacher with the school closure and evacuation of the premises if necessary.
4.2Do not place yourself in unnecessary danger, (e.g. returning to the school to collect belongings, entering a building that is on fire).
Further assistance and guidance is available by contacting Health and Safety on 0191 433 2237 or 2270.
LorraineDixon Health and Safety AdviserHR Legal and Corporate Services / 1 of 2 / Issue 2 April 2013