Due to the tremendous efforts of our staff we have managed to open the school today (Friday). We are very conscious that school being open helps you return to your normal routine. 109 children made it into school today - well done to you! If you did not manage to get your children to school, please don't worry as we realise that travelling circumstances are different for you all. During this period of adverse weather we will not be recording any absence as unauthorised. We know that you will get your children to school if you are able to.

Each day this week we began our closure plan at 6.00am which included following County procedure for notifying them and Heart FM. We are aware that although our closure messages were registered as successfully received, we were not recorded on Heart FM's list. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused and will be contacting County Hall today to inform them of the problem. Large numbers of you used our website to keep informed and have let us know how useful that was. We would advise that you continue to use our website to keep informed each morning and recommend that you look at it before leaving home for school as the message may alter as events unfold.

When making our decision to open or close we have to consider the following:

The viability and safety of staff  being able to get to school, as many travel some distance.

The potential ratio of staff to children to provide adequate supervision and care.

The access to and safety of the site and the road outside school

The weather forecast for the day to ensure that everyone can get home safely.

The loss of learning for children.

We have received the following communication from the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families):

" Many schools are facing difficulties as a result of the adverse weather, which is currently forecast to continue. The DCSF appreciates the efforts made by headteachers and their staff to keep schools open wherever possible. In some circumstances closure is advisable and the DCSF has confidence in headteachers to make the right decision for their school. The DCSF realises the importance of taking a proportionate approach, balancing any risks  arising from less supervision and accidents against disruption to children's learning. The DCSF clarifies that where a school is open but some children cannot get in because of transport difficulties, those children's absence may be recorded as authorised."

As the adverse weather is predicted to continue into next week we will continue to make our decisions on a daily basis. We will continue to to follow the official procedure for informing the Local Authority and Heart FM. You should be able to access the list of school closures via the local authority website www.eastsussex.gov.uk. However we would advise that you continue to keep informed via our school website which will be updated each morning.

Sheepsetting Pre-school are independent of us and as such make their own closure decisions.

Once this crisis has passed and we are back to normal school routine we will let you know the new arrangements for school events such as the Tudor museum and after school activities.