• ABOUT THE COLLEGE
  • ERG Refurbishment Tender Information
  • Courses
  • News
  • Events
  • How to find us
  • Vacancies
  • Publications
  • Get in touch
  • Essential Information
  • The Job Shop
  • Treat yourself
  • Corporate Information
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Safeguarding
  • College History
  • Ofsted
  • Active Inside Out
• YOUNG LEARNERS
  • Welcome
  • Courses
  • Applications
  • Past Results
  • Essential Information
  • Transport
  • 16-18 Bursary Fund
  • The Job Shop
  • Full Time Guide
  • College Videos
  • Supported Learning
  • Student Unions
  • 14 - 16 Learners
  • myNCS
  • 999 Academy
  • Enrichment
  • GCSEs
  • FreshFM
  • Active Inside Out
• UNIVERSITY COURSES
  • Welcome
  • Courses
  • Applying and Contacts
  • Modules
  • Life in North Devon
  • Tuition Fees
  • HE Course Guide
  • University of Plymouth Colleges
  • Scholarships
  • Studying at Petroc
  • Access to Higher Education
  • Staff Scholarly Activity
  • Workbased HE
  • Arts: End of Year Show
• EMPLOYERS
  • Welcome
  • A course to suit you
  • Courses
  • Working with You
  • Benefits of Training
  • Why Petroc?
  • Apprenticeships
  • Contact Us
  • Qualifications
  • Work Based Training
  • Security at Petroc
  • Innovation
  • The Job Shop
• ADULT LEARNERS
  • Welcome
  • Part time Courses
  • Categories & Fees
  • Adult Learner Support Fund
  • How can I enrol?
  • Part Time Course Guides
  • Extra Help
  • Essential Info
  • Supported Learning
  • Essential Skills
  • Arts on Prescription
  • Active Inside Out
• APPRENTICESHIPS
  • Welcome
  • Courses
  • Applications
  • Overview by Area
  • Costs and Funding
  • How Does it Work?
  • Earn and Learn
  • Framework
  • What we offer
  • Qualification Guide
  • Apprenticeship Guide

• Adult Learner Support Fund
• Learning Resources
• Qualifications
• Reset Password
• Term Dates
• Student Transport
• EMA
• Food Outlets (Bple)
• Severe Weather (Bple)
• Severe Weather (Tiv)
• Food & Retail Outlets (Tiv)
• Reporting Absences

Procedures for BARNSTAPLE Students in the Event of Winter/Severe Weather

In the case of severe weather please follow these instructions.

Local radio stations will provide travel information and may also be used to announce an emergency closure of the college. You should listen in to either Radio Devon or Heart Radio from early morning.

Numbers to call for information

Whilst students should make every effort to attend the college, we do not want you to become stranded. If there is already heavy snow in your area before you set out for college you should ring the college switchboard from 8 am on 01271 345291. Alternatively you can ring the Traveline number, which is 08712 002233.

Further Information

Inevitably in these circumstances phone lines will be very busy and you may be unable to contact the college to establish whether transport is running. It may be that your college transport has simply been delayed because of the weather, but if it has not arrived after a reasonable time (perhaps 30 minutes) then you should assume it is not operating and return home. It is reasonable to assume that if the transport was unable to run in the morning it is unlikely to run in the afternoon and so if you make your own way into college you must ensure that you also make your own arrangements to get home.

Should there be heavy snowfall during the day after you have arrived at college you must ensure you are able to get home safely. If this happens the college will make an announcement via tutors to advise students they should make their way home early.  If you have any queries or problems with your travel arrangements please contact the Guidance Centre on 01271 338125 who should have the most up to date information from Devon County Council and the Bus Companies.

Most bus journeys to Petroc are by First Devon & Cornwall or Stagecoach Devon public service buses with services operating throughout the day as well as at the end of the college day. Therefore, if the weather deteriorates during the day most students will be able to use an earlier service to get home. However, students that then change to feeder vehicles must be aware that these vehicles are only in place to meet the college services at the end of the day. These students will need to make alternative arrangements to continue their journey home.

Many bus journeys to Petroc operate throughout the day as well as at the end of the college day. Similarly, students from areas with few earlier public services must ensure that are able to get home in bad weather. It is advisable to check the bus timetable to find out what services are available during the day if required.

When weather conditions make college pathways and roads slippery, every effort will be made to keep all routes accessible; however priority will be given to keeping clear a main walkway through the college. For off site facilities, the main entrances will be the priority.

If you are unable to attend college because of the weather, we would like you to inform us of your absence by following the normal reporting procedure. 

Director of Resources - October 2010