Decision to close schools in extreme heat (FOI)

Request 

Making a decision to close schools due to extreme heat should be a fairly simple process, assuming leadership within the education department is competent. How many hours of senior leadership meetings and time was taken to make this decision, including headteacher's time? What is the total salary cost of these collective meetings? 

Response 

Numerous multi-agency / disciplinary meetings were held across all Government of Jersey Departments and partners to discuss the potential impact to islanders of the extreme heat warnings issued by the Jersey Meteorological Department.

Based on advice from the Strategic Coordination Group, the Minister for Children and Education took the decision to allow Headteachers to make a risk assessment in how they managed their schools on 18 and 19 July during the exceptional weather conditions based on the best interests of their students, their school's local condition and the wider school community. 

Throughout, specific advice was given to vulnerable children and adults. 

Further information can be found here: Extreme weather warning and school advice (gov.je) 

The data requested for total salary cost is not held in a retrievable format. It is estimated that to extract the information requested would exceed the cost limit provisions allowed under Article 16 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011. 

Article applied 

Article 16 - A scheduled public authority may refuse to supply information if cost excessive

(1) A scheduled public authority that has been requested to supply information may refuse to supply the information if it estimates that the cost of doing so would exceed an amount determined in the manner prescribed by Regulations.