Is my school closed today? Snow school closure updates | UK News

We are well and truly in the middle of what’s been dubbed the ‘freeze of the century’ – and the current ‘wall of snow’ sweeping across the UK could lead to school closures.

Snow and ice warnings have been extended across the UK as The Met Office warns temperatures this week will be 5-6°C colder than average.

And as soon as the white stuff starts to fall, parents up and down the country will start to hear the inevitable question from their children: ‘Is it a snow day today?’

One of the biggest impacts snowy weather can have is school closures, which can leave parents scrabbling to make alternative plans with little notice.

But how can you find out if your child’s school is closed today?

Is my child’s school closed today?

The easiest way to check if schools are open is to look on the local authority’s website.

However, your school’s own website or social media accounts may also be able to give you up-to-the-minute information.

In Scotland, you can search for emergency school closures on the mygov.scot site.

In Northern Ireland, check on the nidirect site.

How do schools decide whether to close?

The decision on when schools close is usually based on the inside temperature, as well as how hazardous the site is, as lots of snow and ice can pose a risk of injury.

Gov.uk states: ‘Schools must follow the same health and safety law for indoor temperature as other workplaces.’

Currently, there is no legal minimum or maximum in place, though the lowest recommended temperature (for non-physical work) is 16°C.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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