Severe Weather Procedure

During periods of severe weather the school will make a decision to implement one of the following options and communicate this decision before 7:30 am.

  1. School open as normal
  2. School open but operating with a late start
  3. School closed
  4. Uniform adjustments due to hot weather

Any decision will be communicated via the website, text message/ email, radio and ECC site. To keep up-to-date with the latest announcements parents/carers and students should check:

  • The Appleton School website
  • Local radio Heart Essex FM 96.3 102.6 and at www.heart.co.uk/essex.
  • Emergency school closure page on ECC website.

Option 2: School open but operating with a late start.

School will officially start at 10:30am (but will be open before this time for students arriving on earlier buses). Students that walk to school or travel to school by car should aim to arrive by 10:30am.

For students that arrive before 10:30am:

  • Students in Years 7 should go to the gym Years 8 & 9 should go to the main hall, students in Years 10 -11 should go to the canteen and students in Years 12 and 13 should go to the Sixth Form Centre prior to moving to registration at 10:30 am.

If applicable, any public examinations will start at their published times, unless students are advised otherwise. As ever a decision about sending students to school in difficult weather conditions must be made by each individual family, as local conditions can vary considerably. Students should think carefully about their footwear to and from school and wear the most appropriate footwear they have to help them manage on very slippery paths local to the school. Students should then change into their normal school footwear on arrival. Students should also ensure that they are warm, wearing an appropriate coat, hat and gloves.

The Appleton School will finish at the normal time – 3.00pm. There will be no after school lessons/clubs/detentions/meetings for students unless the weather has improved considerably during the day. We will communicate our position clearly on the website.

In the event of worsening weather conditions during the school day necessitating closure, we will give as much notice as possible and communicate this decision by the modes of communication listed above. Any student that may have problems getting home should report to the main hall. We will not allow students to leave the site unless we are confident that parents/carers are aware and approve of arrangements.

Option 3: School Closure

The decision to close The Appleton School rests with the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team. The school will only be closed as a last resort e.g. travelling becoming hazardous, or if the site is not safe for students and staff.

If the school is closed, students should ensure all homework is up-to-date for when they return to school. On the first day all students will be able access work assignments via the remote learning section on the school website (please click here). If a school closure period lasts more than two school days, all teaching staff will set work via Microsoft Teams from the second closure day.

If the school is closed, public examinations will still take place for students that are able to travel to The Appleton School. Examinations both morning and afternoon will run at their published times. Any exceptions to this would be clearly communicated via The Appleton School website. Internal examinations will be re-scheduled for when school is open again.

Once a decision has been made to re-open after a closure period due to severe weather, this information will be provided using the communication methods listed above.

Option 4: Adjustments to school uniform in the event of a MET Office Red heat warning

In the event of a MET Office Red Heat weather warning or temperatures forecast to be above 30 degrees Celsius, the School will notify students and parents that students will be permitted to wear their Appleton School PE kit in lieu of their normal school uniform. This will be reviewed on a daily basis.

In the event of worsening weather conditions due to extreme heat during the school day necessitating closure, we will give as much notice as possible and communicate this decision by the modes of communication listed above. Any student that may have problems getting home should report to the main hall. We will not allow students to leave the site unless we are confident that parents/carers are aware and approve of arrangements. The decision to close The Appleton School rests with the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team. The school will only be closed as a last resort e.g. travelling becoming hazardous due to extreme heat, or if the site is not safe for students and staff.