How to Check if Your Child’s School is Closed
Headteachers update this list in real time, so it’s the quickest way to find out if your child’s school is closed.
If you’ve signed up for alerts, you’ll also receive a notification by text or email when your school reports a closure.
Other ways schools may share closure information include:
- Announcements on local radio stations (which refer to the council website for updates)
- Messages on the school’s website or answerphone
- Notices on school gates
Sign up for school closure alerts
Who Decides to Close a School?
The decision to close a school is made by the Headteacher—not the council. They assess whether it’s safe for pupils and staff to travel and whether the site can remain safe throughout the day.
They consider:
- Conditions of paths, steps, and slopes around the school
- Local road and pavement conditions
- Heating, lighting, and water supply
- Catering availability
- Public transport and school coach services
- The weather forecast
Schools may also close due to other issues like heating failure or burst pipes.
Headteachers are encouraged to make closure decisions as early as possible to give parents time to plan.
For Headteachers: How to Report a Closure
To report a school closure, log in to the Staffordshire Learning Net.