Emergency Plan
Emergency Plan
Adopted on: Main Governing Body
Date: 4th February 2010
Review Date: February 2011
CONTENTS
Introduction Page 3
Emergency Preparedness Page 3
Initial Action Page 3
Closure Page 4
Communication Page 4
Sending children home Page 5
Structural damage to buildings Page 5
Asbestos Incidents Page 5
Heating failure Page 5
Gas emergencies Page 5
Electricity emergencies Page 6
Mobile classrooms Page 6
Staff shortages Page 6
Staff attendance during a staff closure Page 6
APPENDIX 1 Governor contact details
APPENDIX 2 Staff contact list
APPENDIX 3 Emergency contact list
Introduction
Extreme weather conditions or the breakdown of services and facilities can affect the normal running of the school, nursery and children’s centre and force its closure. Our first consideration during any emergency conditions is the safety and welfare of our children and staff.
Below is a clear plan of action with regard to sending children home during the school/nursery day and when the school/nursery cannot be opened.
1. Emergency Preparedness
1.2 If a situation occurs, the following information will be needed for the response:
The Emergency Plan
Names, addresses and phone numbers of all staff (Appendix 2) and children (Appendix 7)
Children/Staff movement data, e.g. Timetables and registration books
Contact details for key emergency responders within the authority (Appendix 3)
Radio station telephone numbers (Appendix 3)
Emergency supply/support list (Appendix 3)
Contact details for contractors used by the school (Appendix 3)
Contact details of all Governors (Appendix 1)
Asbestos Register
NB: All of the above is kept
In the Safe
In the Children’s Centre/Nursery
At the home address of
The Chair of Governors
Head and Deputy Head
2. Initial Action
2.1 The Headteacher is responsible for the running of the school site and the safety of the children and staff. Therefore, he/she has to decide what action needs to be taken in emergency conditions. In their absence the Deputy Head assumes responsibility followed by the most senior member of the SLT, Adrienne Westbrook and the Nursery Manager, Sara Cloke.
2.2 The Headteacher acquaints him/herself with all relevant facts, takes any necessary advice and decides what action is appropriate.
2.3 The Headteacher consults the following:
• The Chair of Governors (see attached Governor Contact Information Appendix 1)
• Members of the Senior Leadership Team (see attached Staff contact list Appendix 2)
• The Co-ordination Section, resources, Improvement and Young People Branch, Department for Children and Education (see attached Emergency contact numbers Appendix 3)
• Whoever is involved in providing services relevant to the situation, eg. Gas and electricity emergency helplines, Catering Provider etc (see attached Emergency Contact List - Appendix 3).
A decision as to the relevant action is taken.
3. Closure
3.1 In the event of the school, nursery or children’s centre being closed, no children are to be sent home by themselves they must be collected by a parent, carer or authorised adult.
If the school buildings are uninhabitable all children and staff must congregate behind the Cricket Pavilion in the Park.
In extreme cases, e.g. the risk of a gas leak, staff and children need to be moved more than 250 metres away from the building. In this case, they must be evacuated to The Manor School hall, Ruskin Avenue, Melksham
In case of evacuation to the Manor School Hall, the school must be notified on 01225 700150.
4. Communication
4.1 The admin staff contact parents by telephone, choosing other available staff to help in this task. The following information must be passed on:
Brief details of the situation
Where the children are being held
When the school, nursery or children’s centre will be re-opening, if this information is known
4.2 In a time pressured emergency a ‘cascade system’ will be implemented, whereby parents are asked to contact other parents they are familiar with.
4.3 If the school/nursery is habitable, the Admin offices should be used for these telephone calls. If the School is uninhabitable calls must be made from the Manor School, staff mobiles belonging to the children’s centre/personal
4.4 The School Business Manager will contact the local radio stations (see attached Emergency contact numbers Appendix 3) to inform them of the closure. Only closure dates should be given, not dates when the school will re-open.
4.5 If the press contact the school for comments on any emergency situation, they must be directed to the Headteacher. No comments should be made by any other school personnel. If advice is required by the Head regarding this, the County Communications Officer should be contacted
(see attached Emergency contact list Appendix 3).
5. Sending Children Home
5.1 The site policy concerning sending children home is that all children need to be collected by an authorised adult, none should make their own way home even if an adult is there to receive them.
5.2 Children who travel on organised transport – contact County Transport Officer (see attached Emergency contact numbers Appendix 3)
5.3 Parents will be regularly advised of this policy.
6. Structural Damage to buildings
6.1 In cases of structural damage the School Business Manager or available admin staff will contact the Property Maintenance Helpline (Appendix 3). They will be able to arrange for an assessment of the extent of the damage leading to recommendations for overcoming the problems and ensuring action is taken.
7. Asbestos Incidents
7.1 If asbestos is damaged refer to the procedures detailed in the Asbestos Registers held on site
7.2 Make no attempt to clean up any dust or debris and close of the area concerned
8. Heating Failure
8.1 In the event of a heating failure the Business Manager will contact the Property Maintenance Helpline (Appendix 3) for advice on the availability and delivery of emergency heaters and guards.
8.2 The Headteacher, School Business Manager, Caretaker and Class teacher/room leader will read the instructions provided with the emergency heaters to ensure safe use i.e. adequate ventilation and positioning of heaters etc.
9. Gas Emergencies
9.1 In the event of a suspected gas leak the Headteacher/Business Manager will contact the 24 hour gas emergency service (Appendix 3)
9.2 Evacuate the buildings and move children and majority of staff to The Manor School hall. If it is thought local residents are at risk, the Headteacher will contact the Police on 999 and explain the situation. At no point must any staff member approach houses directly, all staff must be at least 250 metres away from the leak.
9.3 The Catering Manager if able to do so safely will
put out naked flames in the kitchen
open doors and windows
Turn off the gas supply by pressing the gas cut off switch (1st gas supply)
evacuate the building
9.4 The Head (or in their absence the business manager) if able to do so safely will turn off the 2nd gas supply in school and evacuate the building.
There is a 3rd supply located in the Bungalow and the same procedure would be followed. The staff member in charge within the building would be responsible for carrying out the duties in 9.2 and 9.3 and also would notify the Head/School office.
WE MUST NOT turn electrical switches on or off.
9.5 The Headteacher will determine if he or another staff member is available to wait, at the entrance to the school drive to prevent access to the site and await the emergency Transco engineer.
10. Electricity Emergencies
10.1 A 24 hour electricity emergency service is available (Appendix 3).
11 Mobile Classrooms
11.1 If high winds are being experienced with forecast gust speeds above 80mph then evacuate the mobile class to the main school building.
11.2 Irrespective of wind speeds, if the structure can be felt to be moving then the class is to be evacuated.
The Business Manager or other admin staff must report the situation to Property Maintenance Helpline (See Appendix 3)
12. Staff Shortages
12.1 In the event of staff shortages, e.g. sickness absence, the Headteacher, Secretary and Nursery Manager will make every endeavour to secure alternative temporary staff to cover teaching commitments/rooms. The Headteacher will also consider whether a number of classes/rooms could be combined for a short period in order to avoid the need to send children home.
12.2 The school Secretary maintains a contact list of supply teachers and agencies (see attached Emergency contact numbers Appendix 3). If no staff can be secured by the usual means, schools can contact ‘e-teach’ which is an organisation that maintains a list of WCC approved supply teachers. Information about this organisation is available on www.eteach.com and www.supplypool.co.uk. The Nursery Manager maintains a list of available staff for cover regarding the nursery.
13. Staff Attendance During a School Closure
13.1 Staff are expected to report for work as normal in the event of a school closure, unless the Headteacher deems the reason for the closure to be such as to make the attendance of all or some staff unreasonable or unsafe (e.g. lack of heating during the winter, structural damage).
13.2 Where staff are unable to report to work (because of weather conditions, blocked roads, etc.) they must advise the Headteacher, Nursery Manager or Children’s Centre Manager as appropriate, of the situation without delay. The Headteacher or Bath YMCA (for the Nursery) may determine to:
(a) grant paid leave of absence, or
(b) grant paid leave of absence and mutually agree some other alternative arrangement, or
(c) grant unpaid leave of absence
13.3 Where a member of staff fails to notify the appropriate staff member as described in paragraph 13.2 of their inability to report to work, this will normally be regarded as unauthorised absence. It will be for the appropriate manager to determine what action should be taken in respect of unauthorised absence.
13.4 Where an employee wishes the decision of the Headteacher or other manager to be reviewed s/he should advise the Headteacher/other manager giving reasons.
******ALL ATTACHED APPENDICES ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY***** |
