School Emergency Closures
In certain circumstances that qualify as emergencies such as bad weather - snow or high winds, heating failures, power cut or fire etc, schools can be closed.
Severe Weather: School Closures Procedure
Throughout the winter months, October – March, two officers are always on duty to monitor weather conditions. During the day, evidence is gathered about forecasts and road conditions to assess if the schools or transport may be affected.
When forecasts predict severe weather, duty officers liaise the day before and use the following process:
- OIC Roads Team and Kirkwall Police are contacted at 6am for detailed information on local conditions. Weather forecasts for the day ahead are also checked and reviewed.
- All mainland transport conveyors are contacted for reports on their routes and to obtain their decisions as to whether they will be operating school transport. Isles head teachers contact the island conveyors for route reports and their decisions on operating school transport.
- All head teachers are contacted and given local weather and forecast information. Mainland head teachers are also provided with their conveyor reports.
- It is then the decision of each head teacher to either open or close their school, based on health and safety grounds and information provided by duty officers. They must take into account transport provision, local weather conditions, weather forecast and staff availability. In all decisions, the safety of the children is paramount.
- Decisions and information are communicated as shown below.
How to get Information about School Closures
Morning Closures
School closure information is passed onto BBC Radio Orkney (found at 93.7 FM) and broadcasted on the show at 7.30am.
This information is also provided on the OIC answer phone from 7.30am which is reached by calling the councils main switchboard number 01856 873535.
Regular updates are now available via OIC's Twitter and Facebook alerts. To find out more, visit our OIC Updates page, available from the Related Links section on the left. You don't need to sign up to Twitter or Facebook to view the information, but you can subscribe to Twitter and receive school closure updates direct to your mobile phone if you wish. Just follow the directions on Twitter's website and be sure to check with your mobile provider what charges might apply to you.
Closures During the School Day
It is important that parents are familiar with their child’s school emergency closure procedures. Parents should ensure that the school has the correct emergency contact numbers on file and that mobiles are switched on so parents can be contacted.