Last week we witnessed some large snowflakes descend on Bushey Meads School at the start of the day. It had rained earlier in the day so, although it made for a lovely wintery scene in the skies, the snow didn’t settle and there was no need to send out any communication about the wintery weather. As a reminder to all parents, should the need arise to contact parents in the event of a school closure due to heavy snow (or indeed any other reason), please be aware that a notice will be placed on the front page of the Bushey Meads School website and endeavour to do this by 6.30 am. 

Regular update messages will be provided in a similar way throughout the school closure period, including information about school re-opening arrangements. During these potential emergency periods, please avoid telephoning the school directly and look for updates on the website or via email or text alerts; many thanks for your cooperation.

During winter weather periods please be reassured that the site team at BMS is very well prepared to clear and thoroughly grit paths and playgrounds around the school site. An external gritting company also ensures that salt is spread from gritting lorries over larger areas of the school site during the night. In addition appropriate adjustments to uniform will be made.

These adjustments would normally involve asking parents to remind students to wear warm clothes and appropriate alternative footwear if necessary, ensuring that a proper waterproof coat is worn (no hoodies) and that students exercise caution when travelling to school as side roads and pavements might be slippery.

The following health and safety issues will often be sent out as a reminder:
1. When in school, students will need to move around the school site with care, using the paths that have been cleared between the buildings and salted/gritted.
2. The playground and grassy areas around the school are out of bounds for health and safety reasons.
3. Snowballs should not be thrown under any circumstances as salt and grit has been spread around the school site and, if someone was hit in the face with a snowball containing even the slightest lump of salt or grit, they could be hurt.
4. Whilst increased levels of staff supervision are being arranged, if students are anxious about being outside at break and lunchtime they should stay in the School Restaurant Area where extra seating will be provided, the LRC, or one of the many indoor lunchtime clubs and activities.

If there are any changes to the situation, updates will be posted on the school website and sent to parents via groupcall/text message.