Important information re: possible inclement weather

As you will probably be aware, the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for snow across Wales. Most of the country, including the West, is covered by the warning which runs through Thursday and Friday. We are hopeful that we will be unaffected.

However, in the event of adverse weather, I wish to provide information in advance so that you are fully informed of how the College will aim to manage in the event of severe weather. First and foremost, we recognise at the outset the importance of avoiding unnecessary disruption to students’ education through closure. I wish to assure you that we will make every effort to keep the College open wherever possible and minimise the need for weather-related closure.

Although we will strive to keep the College open, it will sometimes be necessary for us to take the decision to close for reasons outside of our control. A College closure may have to be considered in periods of adverse weather if there are:

• health and safety concerns relating to entering and exiting the College and onsite parking
• the ability of staff and students to commute to the College or between home and College
• the ability of contract buses bringing / collecting students at the Gorseinon Campus
• the ability of ILS transport to operate
• sufficient teaching staff to cover classes
• sufficient support staff to ensure the safe and appropriate running of the College (e.g. catering staff, caretaking staff, front of house)
• advice and guidance given by the Police and other public services on weather and road / travel conditions; and
• the general health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the College.

Making the decision to close the College is therefore very difficult and complex and the timing and communication of the decision is also difficult in a context where a decision to close can often only be taken on the morning of a College day. There is therefore a careful balance to be struck between avoiding unnecessary closure and ensuring that students and staff have as much notice as possible in the event that closure is the only viable option.

Therefore, should there be a situation of closure, students and staff will be informed by:

• messages on the local radio stations (The Wave, Swansea Sound, Radio Wales, Nation Hits and Radio Carmarthenshire/Scarlet FM etc)
• BBC / ITV local news channels and their websites
• College website and its official social media feeds (Facebook and Twitter)
• messages on the main College answer phone 01792 284000 (Tycoch campus) and 01792 890700 (Gorseinon campus)
• personal responses at reception (where possible)
• global email or text
• notice at College entrances
• Active Desktop (internal)

Regular updates will be posted via these methods of communication as and when decisions are made.