Preparing for Winter Weather in Schools: A Practical Guide

Why is winter weather planning important in schools?

Winter weather can create challenges for every part of a school day. Snow and ice can make paths, playgrounds and entrances difficult to use safely, while flooding, storms and freezing temperatures can affect journeys to school, staffing levels and the condition of the school estate.

For School Business Managers and senior leaders, preparing early is much easier than responding after bad weather has already arrived.

Department for Education guidance advises education settings to have emergency plans that cover incidents including severe weather. It also states that schools should remain open and allow as many pupils to attend as possible where it is safe to do so, although temporary closure may sometimes be necessary because of inaccessibility or the risk of injury.

A good winter weather plan therefore needs to balance continuity of education with the safety of pupils, staff and visitors.

What should be included in a school winter weather plan?

The first step in preparing for winter weather is to create or review your school emergency plan.

This should not try to predict every possible situation. Instead, it should set out how the school will respond to the winter weather risks most likely to affect the site.

Start with a risk assessment covering issues such as:

• snow and ice on paths, steps and playgrounds
• heavy rain and flooding
• strong winds and storm damage
• freezing temperatures
• difficulties travelling to and from school
• staff shortages caused by transport disruption
• heating, power or water problems
• falling snow or ice from roofs
• damage to buildings, trees or outdoor equipment

Consider which parts of the site are most vulnerable and what action can reduce each risk.

It is also worth reviewing your wider school estate maintenance before winter. Department for Education estate guidance says school buildings should be maintained so that they remain safe, warm and weatherproof.

Make responsibilities clear too. Staff should know who checks the site, who decides whether areas need closing, who organises gritting and who communicates any changes to families.

How can schools make their site safer during snow and ice?

One of the biggest winter risks is slipping on icy surfaces.

Identify priority routes around the school before cold weather arrives. These could include:

• the main pupil entrance
• staff entrances
• paths between buildings
• steps and ramps
• routes to dining areas
• access points for deliveries
• emergency exits

When ice or snow is expected, use grit or salt on the routes identified in your plan. Preparing surfaces before conditions become dangerous is usually more manageable than trying to deal with a large build-up afterwards.

Avoid assuming the entire school site needs to be cleared. A smaller number of clearly marked, well-maintained routes can be easier for staff to manage consistently.

Schools should also consider water being brought indoors on shoes. Suitable entrance mats, regular checks and prompt cleaning can help keep corridors and entrance areas safer during wet or snowy weather.

What winter equipment should schools have ready?

Preparing for winter weather is much easier when essential equipment is already available.

Check your stock before temperatures begin to fall rather than waiting until a cold-weather warning has been issued.

Useful equipment may include:

• grit or salt
• grit bins
• a salt spreader
• snow shovels
• entrance mats
• warning signs
• suitable protective clothing for staff working outdoors

Think carefully about storage. Grit should be accessible to authorised staff without having to cross an untreated part of the site to reach it.

For larger schools, a salt spreader can make treating paths and larger areas quicker and more consistent. Schools should also establish who is responsible for checking stock levels so supplies are replenished before they run out.

How should schools communicate with parents and staff during bad weather?

Once your winter weather arrangements are agreed, make sure staff and families understand what will happen.

You could share a short winter-weather statement explaining:

• how the school will communicate changes
• where closure information will be published
• whether delayed opening may be considered
• what families should do if travel conditions are unsafe
• how learning will continue during an extended closure
• which communication channels parents should check

Use more than one communication method where practical. This might include the school website, email, text messages, a parent app or other established communication channels.

Avoid promising that a closure decision will always be made by a particular time. Weather and local travel conditions can change quickly, so schools may occasionally need to make decisions at short notice.

When should a school close because of winter weather?

Snowfall by itself does not automatically mean that a school needs to close.

The decision should be based on the circumstances affecting your school and the findings of your risk assessment.

Factors to consider could include:

• whether pupils and staff can reach school safely
• whether enough staff are available to supervise pupils
• whether essential access routes can be maintained
• the condition of roads and public transport locally
• whether heating, water and electricity are working
• any damage caused by flooding, high winds or snow
• whether conditions are likely to deteriorate during the school day

Current Department for Education guidance says settings should remain open where it is safe to do so. However, temporary closure may be necessary where there is inaccessibility or a risk of injury, and schools should do what they can to reopen as soon as possible.

Having the decision-making process written into your winter plan can make difficult decisions more consistent.

What should schools do if severe weather causes a closure?

Your plan should cover what happens after a closure decision has been made, not just how that decision is reached.

Make sure families and staff receive clear information as quickly as possible. Avoid relying on informal messages or word of mouth.

Where appropriate, schools can also consider remote education during a temporary closure. Department for Education guidance recommends having remote education procedures ready for emergency closures, particularly because these decisions may be made at short notice.

The school should also continue monitoring conditions so that reopening arrangements can be communicated promptly.

How can schools support pupils during cold weather?

Winter preparation is not only about buildings and pathways. Pupils may also need support understanding how to stay safe and comfortable in cold conditions.

Schools could use an assembly, classroom discussion or information shared with families to cover suitable clothing, including:

• winter coats
• gloves
• hats
• scarves
• winter footwear
• layers such as T-shirts and jumpers

Children can also be reminded to take extra care when walking on slippery surfaces and to follow the safe routes identified around the school.

Some pupils may be more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. UK Health Security Agency guidance for teachers and educational professionals recommends that settings prepare for cold temperatures, snow and icy conditions, ensure staff understand their plans and consider children who may be at greater risk during adverse cold weather.

Schools can also monitor official weather information and Cold-Health Alerts when planning their response.

What common winter weather mistakes should schools avoid?

Even a simple winter plan can be effective, but there are some common problems worth avoiding.

Waiting until snow arrives
Check equipment, responsibilities and communications before the first cold spell.

Running out of grit
Review stock levels early in the season and identify who is responsible for replenishment.

Treating every outdoor area
Prioritise essential routes that can realistically be maintained throughout the day.

Unclear responsibilities
Staff should know who checks conditions, who treats surfaces and who communicates decisions.

Relying on one communication channel
Parents may not all receive information in the same way, so use established channels consistently.

Focusing only on snow
A winter plan should also consider flooding, storms, freezing temperatures and disruption to buildings or utilities.

How can schools implement winter weather planning successfully?

A simple autumn review can prevent many problems later in the year.

Before winter:

• Review your risk assessment.
• Update your school emergency plan.
• Check grit bins and winter supplies.
• Inspect paths, drains, roofs and external areas.
• Confirm staff responsibilities.
• Test parent and staff communication systems.
• Review arrangements for remote education.
• Check official weather warnings when severe conditions are expected.
• Consider the needs of pupils who may be particularly vulnerable to cold weather.
• Review the plan after any significant weather event and record what could be improved.

Winter weather will always be unpredictable, but the response to it does not have to be.

How does GLS support schools with winter preparation?

School teams already have a long list of operational responsibilities, so winter preparation needs to be practical and manageable.

GLS works with schools throughout the year and understands that everyday facilities supplies can become especially important when conditions change quickly. From site equipment and storage to cleaning and general school essentials, having the right supplies available before they are needed helps staff put their winter plans into action.

The priority should always be choosing equipment that suits the size, layout and specific risks of your school rather than buying products simply because winter is approaching.

It is another example of the practical challenges school teams manage behind the scenes every day.

Conclusion

Preparing for winter weather in schools is about making sensible plans before they are needed. Review the risks, keep essential supplies ready, protect safe access routes and make sure everyone knows how decisions will be communicated.

Most importantly, remember that conditions can vary significantly from one school to another. A clear, practical winter weather safety plan helps schools respond proportionately, remain open where it is safe and act quickly when conditions become too hazardous.