School Closure Procedures

St Machar Academy is required by the local authority to update our procedures regularly for what should happen in the event of the school having to close because of abnormal weather conditions or in an emergency. We are always mindful of the difficulties encountered by families when the school closes because of severe weather or in an emergency and we take all reasonable steps to minimise such difficulties.

Information for Parents and Carers about emergency school closures, particularly during times of severe weather can be obtained from the following sources:


  1. The School’s Information Line. This is a telephone information service for parents/carers and is charged at national rate. The telephone number for St Machar Academy is 08700541999 and the PIN code to access information is 011110

  1. Aberdeen City Council website https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/school-closures-and-transport-disruptions

  1. Northsound Radio

  1. A Groupcall text message will be sent at the earliest opportunity.

More information can be found at: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/winter

While schools have contingency planning in place to cope with a number of circumstances sometimes it is necessary to close schools or amend the normal school day e.g. storm damage, power cut. In the event of this happening we have to ensure school records of parents’ place of employment and childcare arrangements are up to date.

Please make sure we have current emergency contact telephone numbers and address. We will issue an annual update form to check the accuracy of contact details and other information held by the school. Please make sure your child knows who to go to if you are not at home.