Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather conditions, heating failures, or instructions from emergency services, the school may need to close to ensure the safety of our students and staff. In most instances, the announcement will be made before the start of the school day, although this might not always be the case depending on the nature of the closure.

Remote education will only be considered as a last resort where attendance is not possible. Our priority remains to reopen as soon as possible, but in the event of a closure, we are committed to providing high-quality, continuous learning for all pupils.

How to Find Out If School is Closed

If you do not receive a message or confirmation via Buckinghamshire Council or school email, then the school is open. We will communicate about any school closures through the following official channels:

• Buckinghamshire Council School Closures website: Check if your school is closed.
• Transport: Check for transport disruptions | School Closures and Bus Disruptions 
• School Website: Please check our website regularly for the most up-to-date information.
• Email: Ensure your contact information is up-to-date with the school to receive email messages about closures.
• Social Media: Follow our school's social media accounts for real-time updates on linktree.

Remote Education Plan

If the school is closed for the full day, students will transition to this remote education plan, which adheres to the requirements set out by the Department for Education.

Delivery and Curriculum

• Platform and Schedule: Students will be set work for their lessons using their subject Google Classrooms. The lessons will be shared following the usual school day timings.
• High-Quality Provision: The work provided will aim to be high-quality, meaningful, ambitious, and cover an appropriate range of subjects, equivalent in length to the core teaching time students would normally receive in school.
• Lesson Content: This may include recorded or live direct teaching time, as well as time for students to complete tasks, reading, and assignments independently.
• Feedback and Interaction: Teachers will plan opportunities for regular feedback and interaction with students and peers during the school day.
• Oversight: A senior leader, Mrs Hooley,  has overarching responsibility for the quality and delivery of remote education.

Support for All Students

• Addressing Digital Barriers: We will work to overcome barriers to digital access for pupils, including distributing school-owned devices where possible and supporting families with internet access as needed. 
• Non-Digital Access: If digital access is not possible, we will ensure equal access through the provision of printed resources, supplemented with other appropriate forms of communication between the school and students.
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Teachers are best placed to know how to meet the needs of students with SEND. We will put in place an appropriate curriculum, teaching, and support to enable continued learning effectively, as close as possible to the students’ experiences face to face.
• Free School Meals: Where pupils eligible for benefits-related free school meals are receiving remote education, the school will work with the catering team to provide either a good quality packed lunch or issue a food voucher to ensure support continues.

Safety During Remote Learning

Guidance and resources available on the school website The Cottesloe School - Safeguarding support safe remote education and online safety for students and parents.

Closure During the School Day

If the school closes during the school day, it is essential that your child has access to a place of safety if they return home early; please discuss these arrangements with your child.