In short: GOV.UK says to check your local council website to find out if a school is closed in England and Wales. mygov.scot points Scottish parents to their council's school closures page, and nidirect lists full-day closures in Northern Ireland. Your school's own messages are worth checking too.
Key facts
- GOV.UK says: check if your child's school is closed on your local council website. Source
- mygov.scot says school closures can happen because of severe winds, flooding and extreme winter weather, and to go to your council web page on school closures. Source
- The Welsh Government says head teachers generally decide if a school should close in severe weather, and to check the school's website or your local authority website. Source
- nidirect lists schools in Northern Ireland closed for the whole day due to severe weather, and says schools are responsible for providing closure information. Source
- GOV.UK says employees are allowed a reasonable amount of time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, and employers may pay for it but do not have to. Source
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When snow falls overnight, most parents want one answer before breakfast: is school open? Each UK nation has an official place to check. This guide lists them, using GOV.UK, mygov.scot, the Welsh Government and nidirect, then gives a short snow day plan for working parents. It sits with our household plan guides.
Where to check, nation by nation
| Where you live | Official route |
|---|---|
| England | GOV.UK says to check your local council website. Its page has a postcode box to find your council. |
| Scotland | mygov.scot says to go to your council's school closures page. It names severe winds, flooding and extreme winter weather as reasons schools close. |
| Wales | The Welsh Government says to check the school's website or your local authority website. |
| Northern Ireland | nidirect lists schools closed for the whole day due to severe weather. It says schools provide the information, and to search again later if a school isn't listed yet. |
Whichever nation you live in, your school's own app, text or email is usually the first place news arrives. Councils can only list a closure once the school has told them, so a quiet list early in the morning doesn't always mean every school is open.
Who makes the decision
The Welsh Government says head teachers generally decide whether a school closes in severe weather. Its guidance for schools says the default is to stay open for as many learners as possible, closing only for reasons such as the site being hard to reach or a risk of injury. It also says schools should think about remote learning while closed. Other nations' rules may differ, so your school's own bad weather policy is the best guide.
It helps to check the Met Office warnings the evening before, so a closure message isn't a surprise.
A snow day plan for working parents
A short plan, agreed on a calm day, makes a snowy morning much easier.
- Know your first check. Save the school's app or text service, and bookmark your council's closures page.
- Agree a back-up carer. A grandparent, friend or neighbour who could have your child if you must go in. Swap numbers now.
- Talk to your employer early. GOV.UK says employees are allowed a reasonable amount of time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. There is no set amount of time, and employers may pay you but don't have to. GOV.UK's list of examples includes a childminder not turning up or a nursery closing unexpectedly; it doesn't mention school closures, so ask your employer how they handle snow days.
- Have a home day ready. A few books, a printed activity sheet and any remote work the school sets.
- Older children walking alone: agree in advance whether they should head home or stay put if the school closes during the day.
Snow morning tick-list
- School app, texts or email checked
- Council closures page checked (search again later if nothing is listed)
- Back-up carer called, if needed
- Employer told as soon as possible
- Warm clothes and snacks ready for a home day
Our clearing snow and ice guide covers paths and steps once you're home.
Limitations
This page points to official routes for checking closures. It doesn't list closures itself, and it isn't legal advice on employment rights. For rules about your job, check GOV.UK or talk to your employer, union or Acas.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my child's school is closed for snow?
Check your school's own messages first, then your council's school closures page. In England and Wales GOV.UK and the Welsh Government point you to your council. In Scotland use mygov.scot to find your council's page. In Northern Ireland, nidirect lists full-day closures.
Who decides if a school closes in bad weather?
In Wales, the Welsh Government says head teachers generally decide. In Northern Ireland, nidirect says schools are responsible for giving closure information. Councils publish the lists, so check there if you haven't heard from the school.
Can I take time off work if school is closed?
GOV.UK says employees can take a reasonable amount of time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, and that employers do not have to pay for it. Its list of examples doesn't name school closures, so talk to your employer early.
Sources
- GOV.UK: School closures (checked 30 Oct 2026)
- mygov.scot: School closures in an emergency (checked 30 Oct 2026)
- Welsh Government: Winter weather advice (checked 30 Oct 2026)
- Welsh Government: Opening schools and childcare and play settings in extreme bad weather (checked 30 Oct 2026)
- nidirect: School closures (checked 30 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK: Time off for family and dependants (checked 30 Oct 2026)