Closing the school is not a decision that is taken lightly because of the inconvenience it causes parents and carers and the loss of time for children in school.  However, there may be times when there is no alternative.

We will always endeavour to give as much notice as possible, but sometimes health and safety risks, or rapidly changing weather conditions may make this difficult.  Our aim will always be to avoid unnecessary closure.

Procedures

If it is necessary to close, there are several places to get information.

• The school website will be updated.
• The school will update as many social media sites as possible, including the school Facebook and Twitter pages, and Bracknell Forest Council will be notified.
• The school will send out emails and text messages.
• Information will be shared with local radio stations for broadcast.
• When possible, the school answerphone message will also be updated.

Closure

If the closure is snow-related, and it has snowed before the start of the school day, road conditions may stop enough staff getting in to school. The school will decide whether to;

• Fully close the school.
• Close only certain classes (where there are not enough adults to keep the children safe).
• Delay the start of the day to allow adults to get into school.

If the school is open, but severe weather comes in during the day, the school may decide to close the school early. The deciding factors for this would be:

• Children's safety,
• Parents and staff homeward journey, taking into account the condition of the roads around the school and further afield.

Remote Learning 

If the school has to close to pupils for more than 1 day, then work will be set and made accessible either by Google Classroom, email or on the website to support parents in keeping learning happening at home.  

We will also continue to provide remote learning on the following platforms:

• Oxford Owl (for those children on the Read, Write, Inc phonics programme) www.oxfordowl.co.uk
• Mathletics https://login.mathletics.com/

You can also find a wide range of learning resources on the following links: 

• Oak Academy - https://classroom.thenational.academy/
• BBC Bitesize KS1 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z3g4d2p
• BBC Bitesize KS2 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/zbr9wmn

If you need support with your child’s learning during any periods of school closure, please email the office at ghpsoffice@maidenerleghtrust.org