Headteachers update - Weather
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to inform you that, following careful consideration of the forecast temperatures and their impact on the school environment, Shevington High School will operate a partial closure on Wednesday 24th June and Thursday 25th June.
This decision has not been taken lightly. We have explored and implemented all viable measures available to us to mitigate the effects of the heat. However, the combination of unprecedented temperatures, the age and design of our buildings, limited air-conditioned accommodation, and the resulting impact on the learning and working environment has led us to conclude that a partial closure is necessary in the interests of the welfare of both students and staff.
Internal temperatures have already been measured at above 30°C in a number of classrooms, and Government and health guidance emphasises the importance of taking reasonable steps to protect young people and staff during periods of extreme heat.
Arrangements for Wednesday and Thursday
- Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm on both days.
- School transport providers have been informed and school buses will depart at 12:30pm.
- Parents will be allowed on the car park for pick ups at 12:45pm
- Lunch service will be brought forward to ensure students have access to food and refreshments before leaving site.
- Work will be set for all students via Google Classroom to enable learning to continue from home during the afternoon.
- Staff will remain available to respond to student queries and provide support as required.
Provision for Vulnerable Students
We recognise that some students may be particularly vulnerable or may not be able to return home at 12:30pm. We will therefore remain open for identified vulnerable students where necessary.
Parents/carers who believe their child requires this provision should contact the school as soon as possible. Please note that any student remaining in school beyond 12:30pm will need to be collected by a parent/carer or have alternative transport arrangements made for 3:00pm.
Safeguarding and Water Safety
Once students have left the school site at 12:30pm, responsibility for their supervision and welfare rests with parents/carers.
As part of our PSHE programme, we have recently delivered water safety sessions to students. Given the expected weather conditions, I would ask that you reinforce these important messages with your child, particularly around avoiding unsupervised swimming and taking sensible precautions near open water.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) provides excellent guidance for families on staying safe around water. Parents and carers can access this information at: https://rnli.org/safety
We strongly encourage all families to review this guidance, particularly during the current period of exceptionally warm weather.
I appreciate that this decision may cause inconvenience for some families. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff must remain our priority. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will review arrangements ahead of Friday.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Yours faithfully,
Mr J Bennett
Headteacher