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Severe Weather Guidance

Schools will stay open if at all possible when there is severe weather such as deep/drifting snow, very high winds or widespread flooding. Parents and carers have the responsibility of getting children/pupils to and from school safely and need to decide if the journey is safe when severe weather affects transport and/or walking conditions. Parents/carers should inform schools if their child is absent due to severe conditions making the journey unsafe. If your child has a disability and/or learning difficulty, your decision to take the journey must take this into consideration.  

Please consider carefully and only keep children at home if conditions are unsafe.

On occasions, schools will need to close, and a message will be sent to you via the Parentmail text/ e-mail system and on Class Dojo. You can go online to www.kentclosures.co.uk for information about school closures and information is also given out on BBC Radio Kent, Heart FM and KMFM Radio. If, on the rare occasion, school closes at a time within the school day, a message will be sent out via the Parentmail text/e-mail system and on Class Dojo. You can visit www.kent.gov.uk/winter for more information about gritting routes and travel issues around Kent.

Late opening and/or early closure is a possibility in poor weather conditions and schools will either inform parents the night before or via the Parentmail text/e-mail system, on Class Dojo or online at www.kentclosures.co.uk and on local radio.

If conditions worsen throughout the school day and parents feel it is absolutely necessary to collect children, the school should, if possible, be contacted prior to collection. 

Please avoid collecting children before the end of the day unless you feel their safety is at risk.

Please ensure your son/daughter is appropriately clothed for cold/wet/windy weather and that shoes/boots have good grip for icy conditions.

St Pauls Infant School

Hillary Road, Penenden Heath, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2BS

01622 753322