Adverse Weather
Letters to Parents
Severe Weather Arrangements Letter January 2017
Adverse Weather Arrangements
In any school closure emergency (snow or otherwise) we would like to be sure that when students are sent home they can gain access to the house or they have a friend or relative they can go to if parents/carers are at work. Information is gathered annually and you will receive the relevant forms in due course. Any change in emergency address should be notified to school to ensure that each student can be accommodated in Inverurie if necessary.
In the event of severe weather some buses may not run. Where school transport is not running, please do not take your son/daughter to school yourself unless it is safe to do so. If you do take your son/daughter to school, you must also be able to collect them at the end of the day, or at short notice during the day should the decision be made to close the school early
There are three options for finding out whether or not the school is open or closed.
1. Telephone Information Line
The line can handle 10,000 calls per minute. The number is 0870 054 4999. You will be asked for the school PIN number. It is 021060. Once the PIN number is entered, simply follow the instructions (you need a push pad telephone to do so). During bad weather information will be updated as appropriate.
2. On line/Website
The website is at https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Apps/schools-closures/. The website is easy to use and, again, the information will be updated at regular intervals as appropriate.
3. Radio Announcements
Local radio stations will continue to announce closures (in fact, the website is linked to these radio stations, and when the school updates the message on the site it is automatically e-mailed to them).
The radio stations are:
BBC Radio Scotland
Northsound 1
NECR (North East Community Radio)
Waves
Original 106
The systems described above should make it easier to get accurate information about school closures during bad weather or other emergencies.
Please use the Information line rather than telephoning the school. It is impossible to answer promptly all the calls to the school on those days when the weather is bad. The Information line is a better alternative.
Should there be a sudden emergency during the school day, parents/carers will be notified of next steps prior to sending any students home. The local radio stations will be informed and will broadcast information. Please ensure that your son/daughter is aware of such arrangements: they apply whether students live in Inverurie or outwith the town.