Make decisions on a case-by-case basis
All emergencies are different, so it’s up to the headteacher or principal to decide if your school needs to close or not.
In all cases, you should consider the potential impact on the education and wellbeing of pupils before taking any actions.
If you do decide to close, you should do your best to minimise the disruption to education or childcare. This includes maximising the number of pupils in face-to-face provision.
You must comply with:
- Statutory safeguarding guidance that applies to you and your setting
- Your legal responsibilities, including health and safety laws
You should get legal advice as needed.
This is explained in the DfE's guidance on emergency planning and response.
Follow your emergency plans
You should have emergency plans in place that are generic enough to cover a range of potential incidents. Read our article on emergency or critical incident plans for more guidance and examples.