Schools and learning

Emergency school closures

Hertfordshire has over 500 schools across the county. In severe weather conditions, the decision about whether to close the school is made by the headteacher in consultation with the chair of governors. It is based on local conditions, and often depends on whether enough teachers have been able to get to the school to ensure pupil safety. Some might be able to open, others nearby might be forced to close.

What happens during severe weather?

When a school decides to close, the headteacher telephones or emails their local radio station(s). They give a recognised password which enables them to access 'snowline', a service offered by eight local radio stations.

The station will announce the school closure regularly throughout the 'Drivetime' slot in the morning and/or put a list of closed schools on their websites (please note that not all stations put the information on their website).

To find out if your school is closed, listen to the following radio stations.

Links to the websites for these stations can be found on the right.

Chiltern Radio (97.6FM and 828MW)

Areas covered: South, West and North Herts including Borehamwood, Watford, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Baldock and Hemel Hempstead.

Herts Mercury (96.6FM)

Areas covered: Watford, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Rickmansworth, Berkhampstead, Redbourn and Borehamwood.

BBC Three Counties Radio (103.8FM/95.5FM or 630MW/1161MW)

Areas covered: The whole of Hertfordshire.

Ten17 FM (101.7FM)

Areas covered: East Herts including Hertford, Ware, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Bishop’s Stortford and Hoddesdon.

Mix 96 (96.2 FM)

Areas covered: Tring and Berkhamstead.

Hertbeat FM (106.7FM or 106.9FM)

Areas covered: Stevenage, Letchworth, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hitchin, Ware and Hertford.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (96FM)

Area covered: Royston.

Q103 (103 FM)

Areas covered: Royston and Bishop's Stortford

Please remember that each individual school will make a decision on their circumstances, so please check whether your school is open before setting out. Schools will follow the same procedure for other severe weather incidents, such as flooding.

We also encourage schools to make full use of their websites and answerphone messages to publish news and information whenever possible, but remember that during severe weather staff may not be able to get to the school office to leave a message or answer the phone.