Chilton Trinity School

Adverse Weather Information

The school will only close if the building is not safe, staff are unable to travel or routes home for children are threatened, i.e. bridges closed or routes flooded.

Closure before the start of the school day due to severe weather:

If we were to close the school before school starts, we will inform you in the following ways:

  1. A message will appear on the school’s website (www.chilton-trinity.co.uk/), Twitter account (https://twitter.com/Chilton_Trinity) and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChiltonTrinitySchoolBridgwater/ by 7:30 am each day (although we will aim to be earlier) we will update the website and Twitter with information, as far as possible, during the day.
  2. A text message and email will be sent to all parents, whose up to date details we have, by or shortly after 7.30am. Please let us have your up to date contact details if you have not already done so.
  3. Broadcasts by the following Radio Stations –

Somerset Sound 1566MHz

Heart FM 102.6FM [96.5FM Bridgwater Area].

What we will always endeavour to do is remain open for Year 11s in the first instance because they are preparing for GCSEs, and if we can, we will stay open for Year 7s as we know that this will assist parents who work.

Closure during the school day:

Please follow the instruction below so that we can keep all students calm, safe and reassured. DO NOT phone/text your child/ren as it causes them alarm and can cause other children to panic.

If for any reason weather forces us to close during the school day  we will inform you in the following way:

  1. We will put information on our website and Twitter. Those parents who have given us their email addresses and text contacts, will receive a message. This message will direct you to the school website which is where we will put all advice/instructions. Again, please do not text or phone your child at this point as it will cause panic and over-excitement.
  1. Normally the school buses will arrive early to ensure that students who catch the bus are able to get home. This is at the bus company’s discretion and we usually have a call from them telling us they will arrive early. We will let you know if this is the case.
  1. If you absolutely have to collect your child, you should phone the school office so that we can inform your child/ren and have them waiting for you. You may have to wait patiently whilst we contact your child/ren. Do not contact your child directly during lessons as this causes alarm and panic.
  2. As most of our students are able to walk to and from school, we will stay open for as long as we possibly can. If we can remain open, there may not be enough teachers to teach lessons, but we will provide supervised activities. Years 10 and 11 will be in the main hall and Years 7, 8 and 9 in the sports hall, for as long as we can do safely. Students can remain in school even though normal lessons will be disrupted. This is to allow parents the comfort of knowing their children are safe and supervised. Children will not be allowed to leave school with a text or phone call from parents. If they do so, this will be counted as truancy and the absence will be unauthorised. This is to ensure that we know where the children are.
  1. In the event of a complete school closure we will conduct an organised and safe dismissal and we will give parents as much notice as possible. If for any reason, you are

anxious about your child making his or her own way home, you can contact the school and we will either try to arrange other children to escort them or they can stay in the Heart Space which will be supervised until you can collect them. 

Transport Somerset has set up a website to advise parents about bus routes out of operation or restricted routes. In an effort to improve communication with parents, Transport Somerset has asked for parents to look at their website (www.somerset.gov.uk/badweathertransport ) before phoning for information.

Everything reasonably possible will be done to ensure children’s safety and well-being.

If you do not receive information from the school to the contrary, please assume that school will be open as usual.

In times of adverse weather, students are permitted to wear suitable footwear (eg wellington boots, trainers) on the way to and from school but will need to bring their school shoes to change into once in school.

Thank you for your support with this. Our intention is to ensure all students are safe and are not alarmed in any way.