Your rights if school’s out for snow

With dozens of schools closing due to snow and ice, we look at parents’ options as they juggle looking after children with going to work...

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How do I know if my child’s school is closed?

This differs by school - most will have their own methods for contacting parents for alerts such as closures, whether that is by email, text, or using a specific app. Many schools will also post updates on their websites.

Most local councils also post lists of school closures in their area that can be found by searching online.

Local radio stations will also list school closures.

Who decides when to close a school?

In the case of bad weather, or other issues such as extreme illness or loss of heating, a school’s headteacher has the power to decide whether to close a school.