Hello all, Thanks to the customers who drew this to our attention today. The following is an example communication to all by one Head. I recommend sharing something similar with your community, while I must point out that we can neither endorse, or otherwise, the site references: 'A recent social media challenge targeting children and young adults called the ‘Momo Challenge,’ has created concern throughout the country due to its disturbing nature. We are writing to make you aware of this challenge, provide you with information about it, and urge you to monitor your children’s use of social media and the Internet. The ‘Momo Challenge’ a game found on Facebook and the app WhatsApp, features a frightening character who asks its viewers to perform various tasks and provide photos as proof. The ‘Momo’ threatens those who do not perform the tasks. The ‘Momo’ character is now hacking into YouTube and YouTube Kids, popping up on screens whilst children are watching videos. If you w...

Hello all, In case you aren't aware of this and need to consider whether it may impact on your setting in some way directly, (pupil involvement) or indirectly, (eg: parents receiving calls about their children) please see the following: Pupils’ climate change strike threat poses dilemma for heads https://www.tes.com/news/meet-uk-pupils-striking-against-climate-change Thousands of schoolchildren are expected to absent themselves from school on Friday to take part in a series of coordinated protests drawing attention to climate change. At a time when politicians fret that young people are failing to engage with the political process, a headteacher’s decision to take a hard line against the strikers could be counter-productive. But equally granting permission for a day off could set a dangerous precedent and lead to safeguarding issues, it is feared. Parents could be fined for taking a child out of school. A Department for Education spokeswoman said the decision was a matter for ind...

Hello all, I'd set the alarm early, then a picture fell off the wall, even earlier and ..... The forecast suggests there will be some more snow of varying intensity this morning, before it dies out around lunchtime and will become far brighter. It appears the motorways and major trunk roads, (Highways England) and majority of the local council gritted routes are open, albeit that in some locations there are lane restrictions. Elevation impacts on depth of snow and impact on the roads. The position on non cleared routes will vary markedly. Gritting and ploughing is ongoing and extra resources have been deployed. Public transport is running save for Bristol Airport at the moment. It is under review as the position for drivers getting in to the depots is a challenge. First Bus across the patch will issue an update at 6.30 am. However, Metro Bus is running in Bristol and routes along the main gritted routes are running. At present, therefore, I can't be of more...

Just as you thought it was safe to move on as they'd updated the Yellow, we now have the higher grade AMBER in place. This doesn't cover the whole of our patch, the rest remains yellow. Check the extent here: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ public/weather/warnings#?date= 2019-01-31&region=sw& regionType=area&id=da2cef65- d414-4d8c-968e-ae65224819ec Timing is the same with the snow setting in around 5 pm this afternoon, showers before then though. This underlines the get away promptly advice I gave. Created:   10:23 on Thu 31 Jan 2019 GMT     Further details A band of rain will arrive from the southwest on Thursday afternoon, quickly turning to snow and becoming heavy at times. 3 to 7 cm is likely to accumulate quickly - within two to three hours - with up to 10 cm in some places. The highest snowfall accumulations are likely to be in areas above 150 metres or so. Warning impact matrix Very likely ** Unlikely Very low...

Hello all, I have just watched the local forecast with interest and await the Met Office web site catching up with it! What was said/shown has been updated with elements of more significance. It appears that there is now potential for snow showers to start across our patch from lunchtime but without major impact. As the afternoon goes on the showers look to then merge into longer spells of snow, which then in the evening becomes persistent somewhere along the M4 ish, and to the north of it before lessening off past midnight. NB: Accumulations estimates vary significantly from the light dusting to perhaps up to 8 cm with elevation. Timings are also in flux so we are advised to check again for updates on a regular basis. I will do this and keep you posted. On this basis a prompt get away at the end of the pupil day for all would look to be appropriate. At the moment I stick with 'curtain time' early Friday morning to see whether it's business as close to normal and on a...

Hello all, On the basis of the current forecast projection, coming to a conclusion on business as usual on Friday is very difficult to call. You'll see from the risk matrix below and description that things are moving in the higher impact direction for snow on the way home and overnight on Thursday, with things easing in the early hours and into the morning. However, there's still the caveat that a lot of it could be rain! If snow, the description may mean that it will be possible to have motorways and the majority of principal gritted routes open and, therefore, public transport running for the journey to work. My call at the moment is that it looks like an early curtain open and radio on for Friday morning to see what we face. It could vary markedly across the staff team's travel to work area. Make sure your communication cascade to all method is ready, up to date and has capacity if many have to use it. It may be a 'we are open' on a rolling basis will ...

Hello all there's more emphasis on hills and the 'could' word for lower levels in the update below from the Met Office so it looks like one of those wait and see and it should pass quickly things. Bill Regional Forecast for South West England Headline: Staying cold with rain and hill snow today. Today: Rain and hill snow will gradually spread in from the west today. There could be sleet or snow to lower levels for a time in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 6 °C. Tonight: Rain, sleet and snow will clear this evening to leave clear spells and wintry showers which could bring snow to inland areas. A widespread frost is likely with icy patches. Minimum temperature -3 °C. Wednesday: A cold start with ice in places. Sunshine and wintry showers continuing through the day, but showers gradually easing later. Maximum temperature 7 °C. Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: A dry and frosty start on Thursday before a band of rain arrives later in the morn...