Winter+Weather

A reminder of the adverse weather line: The number is 0870 054 6999 0870 054 6999
 * WINTER WARNING **

and the IHS PIN number is 041090.  HIGHLAND COUNCIL EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORT SERVICE -

// GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS   //
TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL DURING ADVERSE WEATHER It is the responsibility of parents or carers to decide if a pupil should attempt to travel to school, by transport or on foot, in adverse weather conditions. The Education Authority encourages full attendance at school but in severe weather conditions the safety of pupils is much more important. Parents and pupils are often concerned that important examinations may be missed, but this should not over-ride good judgement. Schools normally make alternative arrangements for missed examinations.

· ** parents ** should advise schools of an alternative address, as close as possible to the school, which may be used by their children in emergencies. · ** the school ** will advise parents of normal local arrangements for school transport and any special arrangements in the event of adverse weather. · ** the school ** will establish a system of communication with parents and transport operators and ensure that parents are fully informed of the arrangements. This may include an 0870 telephone information service, details of which will be issued separately. The website [|www.schoolclosures.highlandschools.org.uk] will also be updated with information for individual schools.
 * The school updates its procedures for adverse weather closure annually, therefore:- **

· ** Local radio stations ** issue news and weather bulletins on traffic conditions and school closures. Transmissions may not cover all households and may be subject to re-scheduling but should be helpful. Parents are advised to remain “tuned in” to ongoing road weather, or school information updates.
 * When weather conditions are poor:- **


 * Broadcast times **

//BBC Radio Highland //

 * ** 6.55 am – 7.00 am **
 * 12.55 pm – 1.00 pm ** || ** 7.50 pm – 8.00 pm **
 * 4.55 pm – 5.00 pm ** ||

In extreme conditions Radio Highland will interrupt Radio Scotland transmissions, usually on the hour, to carry emergency bulletins. Nevis Radio will carry bulletins at roughly ten minute intervals between 7.00 am and 8.00 am and Lochbroom FM at quarter-hour intervals between 7.15 am and 8.45 am.

//Moray Firth Radio //
Please do not telephone local Radio for advice but listen to appropriate broadcasts. · Parents should advise their children on how long they should wait at the pick up point for their transport. This will depend on the prevailing weather conditions and the availability of shelter at the pick-up point. During adverse weather conditions no pupil is expected to wait longer than twenty minutes past the normal “pick-up” time. · Parents should note differences between **contract** vehicles and **public service** vehicles. Drivers of **contract** vehicles are advised not to drop off children where there is any doubt that they may not safely reach home or other place of shelter. Drivers of **public service** vehicles must travel their normal routes and cannot make special provision for the individual pupils. · Where parents are concerned about weather conditions at “drop-off” points, they should contact the school as early as possible.
 * Normally hourly news bulletins and half-hourly summaries will carry local information on weather, roads and conditions affecting schools. In severe conditions normal programmes will be interrupted more frequently to carry emergency bulletins. **
 * For pupils using school transport **

y paredhe Navy showed up!uilding exercises which also tested their physical fitness. Some of our prefects thought they were fit You can also check closures on [|www.winter.highlandschools.org.uk]
 * When weather conditions are poor, parents should arrange to have children met at the “drop-off” point, especially where public service transport is used. **