School Closure Due to red weather warning – 24 & 25 June

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to inform you that, following an upgraded Red Weather Warning for extreme heat, the school will be closed to all students on Wednesday 24th June and Thursday 25th June.

I want to apologise unreservedly for the short notice of this decision and the immense disruption and difficulty this will undoubtedly cause regarding your childcare arrangements and work commitments. Please know that we have not taken this decision lightly. We understand how challenging unexpected closures are for families, and we are incredibly sorry for the strain this puts on you.

However, the safety of our young people must come first. This decision has been made in strict accordance with national and trust guidance, and in alignment with other local Bristol schools. In particular, we have been heavily informed by the fact that the vast majority of our students travel to school on foot or by bicycle, which would expose them to dangerous conditions during the peak heat of the day.

To ensure continuity of education where possible, arrangements for these two days are as follows. For Key Stage 3, which includes Years 7, 8, and 9, remote learning will be provided. Students should log on to Microsoft Teams, where work will be uploaded by their teachers. We completely understand that families may be sharing devices or balancing their own work commitments, so this work is designed for students to complete at a time that works best for them and your household. For Year 10 students currently on work experience, they should follow the direct guidance and instructions provided by their specific placement employer. If the placement remains open and it is safe to travel, they should attend; otherwise, they should follow the placement’s alternative instructions.

Currently, the school remains open as normal tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd June, and on Friday 26th June. To help our students cope with the high temperatures on these days, please note the urgent reminders from my letter last Friday. We strongly encourage students to wear polo shirts and shorts, in line with our hot weather policy, rather than their full formal uniform. Please also ensure your child comes to school with a hat, sun cream, and a large, refillable water bottle. To further assist, we have doubled our staff provision for in-class duty tomorrow to ensure students are supported throughout the day.

Thank you for your understanding,

Edel