Information on snow closure decisions and procedures.
- BBC Suffolk List of College Closures
- BBC Suffolk List of School Closures
- Suffolk County Council Closure Lists
For information of parents, guardians and carers of students.
The Senior Management Team of the College make the decision to close the College in cases of inclement weather or major disruption of other services. The decision to close the College is not taken lightly as we are aware of the extra pressures put on students and their parents, guardians or carers by a closure of the College and students returning home.
Students travel from Norfolk and Essex as well as all parts of Suffolk to get to College. The students who travel furthest have to set off very early in the morning as their bus journeys can take over an hour. The SMT, if there has been heavy snowfall or another major incident overnight, put a notice on the College website and alert the local radio stations who also make announcements at regular intervals. We try and cancel buses or close the College in time for students to get home safely but again conditions in one part of the county can be different to the conditions at the College.
If a decision to close the College is taken the bus companies and taxi firms that bring students are contacted to inform them as early as possible. Decisions to close the College before 9.00 are usually taken at about 6.30-7.00 based on the weather reports and information from our staff around the county. It can be fine at Otley but in the Lowestoft, Clacton or Felixstowe areas etc. the roads can be dangerous. Decisions to close the college are based on what is best for all students, not just those with short journey times.
Last year we received a number of calls from parents complaining that their children stood at a bus stop and buses did not arrive. Please could we ask that you check the website and listen to the radio if you feel that the weather is bad in your area. If you feel that the conditions are too bad you will of course make your own decisions regardless of whether the College is open or not. On a couple of days last year the weather at the college was fine at 6.30 and as the buses arrived at 8.30 the conditions had deteriorated so much that we had to ask the buses to return with the students. This situation is unfortunate but unavoidable.
The College switchboard would not be in operation as the staff could not get to College and usually there would be a message saying the College is closed. The most up to date information can be gained from the College website which we advise you to check. The College has a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) called Moodle which the students can access remotely to carry on with their studies. The students know how to access this resource.
I hope this information is helpful and informs you about the College closure procedures.
Philip Winfield
Principal
Otley College