School Closure Guidance

Winter Weather 

At Leeds Jewish Free School, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils, staff, and families is always our highest priority. We make every effort to keep the school open during periods of winter weather whenever it is safe and practical to do so. However, there may be exceptional circumstances in which we need to close the school, delay opening, or make alternative arrangements.

A decision to close the school would only be taken after careful consideration of factors including:

Hazardous road and pavement conditions that make travel unsafe.
Severe snowfall, ice, flooding, or other adverse weather conditions.
Inability to ensure safe access to the school site.
Insufficient staffing levels due to travel disruption.
Concerns regarding heating, electricity, water supply, or other essential services required to operate the school safely.
Should a closure or significant disruption be necessary, we will communicate with families as soon as possible via email. We will always aim to make decisions at the earliest opportunity and provide clear information about any changes to the school day. We encourage parents and carers to ensure that the school has up-to-date contact details so that important messages can be received promptly.

We understand that school closures can present challenges for families and therefore take such decisions only when absolutely necessary. Our priority will always be to balance educational continuity with the safety of our entire school community. We appreciate the support and understanding of families during periods of severe weather.

Hot Weather

At Leeds Jewish Free School, the wellbeing of our students and staff is a priority, particularly during periods of hot weather. We encourage students to bring a refillable water bottle to school each day and to stay well hydrated throughout the school day. Where appropriate, students will be advised to seek shade during break and lunchtime, and outdoor activities may be adapted to ensure comfort and safety. Families are encouraged to apply sunscreen before school and to ensure students arrive wearing the correct school uniform while remaining comfortable in warmer temperatures. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and communicate any additional arrangements to parents and carers when necessary.

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Periods of hot weather can affect children's health, concentration, and wellbeing. Parents and carers can support their child by:

Ensuring they bring a refillable water bottle to school every day.
Encouraging them to drink plenty of water before, during, and after school.
Applying a long-lasting sunscreen before school where appropriate.
Providing a sun hat for outdoor activities.
Ensuring pupils wear the correct school uniform while choosing lighter-weight items where permitted.
Encouraging a good night's sleep, as hot weather can increase tiredness and reduce concentration.
Ensuring children eat a healthy breakfast and stay well hydrated throughout the day.