Dear families
I am sure you will appreciate my priority this morning was to risk assess the school site and let you know a decision as soon as possible.
I write further to explain my decision to close. Unfortunately, the pathways cleared yesterday by our site staff have frozen over and conditions on the yard are treacherous. Our main yard and ball yard are evacuation points should an emergency occur. As such, the current conditions mean it would be difficult and dangerous to gather students in such a situation posing a serious health and safety risk to all.
Whilst main roads are clear, side roads, footpaths and significant disruption to rail services would have posed difficulties for students and staff getting to school. Safety of students walking and cycling to school is my number one priority.
School is open today for those Year 13 students who are resitting BTEC exams in PE, Business and Media. Senior staff and I are in school today to ensure that there is no disruption to their planned exams.
With the above, a revised risk assessment and fire evacuation plan has been put in place meaning that the small number of students and staff in school are safe and can be safely evacuated in the event of an emergency.
Work will be set on Google Classroom again today and staff will be available to support students should they have any difficulties with their work.
I would like to assure you that taking this difficult decision to close is a total last resort. We will continue to do all we can today to make the site safe, but a yellow weather warning remains in place. I will update you at 7am tomorrow morning but we will do everything we can to try and open the site for all.
Thanks as ever for your continued support and understanding.
Please stay safe.
Mr Peadar McLoughlin
Headteacher