Whilst it is fair enough to expect staff, particularly those who are very local, to make reasonable attempts to get to work, head teachers/principals should not expect staff to ignore official advice not to travel and put themselves at risk. In our view ‘essential travel’ is that which is needed to protect people, for example, medical or emergency services, gritting services, food supplies etc.
If the school has been closed because it has been deemed unsafe or inappropriate for pupils to attend, then staff should not be expected to attend work. Staff are likely to be affected by travelling difficulties in similar ways to students, and poor conditions within the school, for instance, frozen pipes, would present an unacceptable working environment for staff too.