Aberdeenshire School Closures: Full List & Snow Updates (5 Jan)
Introduction
As an Amber weather warning for heavy snow grips the Grampian region, thousands of parents across Aberdeenshire are facing a major disruption to the start of the new term. With up to 20cm of snow forecast on higher ground and “blizzard conditions” expected overnight, Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that all schools and council-run nurseries will be CLOSED tomorrow, Monday, 5th January 2026.
If you are looking for immediate confirmation on whether to send your child to school or prepare for a day of remote learning, this guide covers the official closure list, transport cancellations, and essential safety advice for the days ahead.
Live List: Aberdeenshire Council School Closures Today
Status: BLANKET CLOSURE CONFIRMED
According to the latest update from the Aberdeenshire Council education team (issued Sunday evening, 4 Jan), all schools in the Aberdeenshire local authority area are closed.
This decision has been taken due to the severity of the forecast and the risk of rural communities being cut off. While we cannot list every single facility, the closure applies to all clusters, including but not limited to:
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Peterhead & Fraserburgh Cluster: (e.g., Peterhead Academy, Fraserburgh Academy, and all feeder primaries).
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Inverurie & Ellon Cluster: (e.g., Ellon Academy, Inverurie Academy, Meldrum Academy).
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Deeside & Don Valley: (e.g., Aboyne, Banchory, and Alford academies).
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Stonehaven & Portlethen: (e.g., Mackie Academy, Portlethen Academy).
Pro-Tip: Don’t Confuse “City” with “Shire” If you live on the boundary, check carefully. While Aberdeenshire has announced a full closure, Aberdeen City Council has currently announced a delayed opening of 11:00 AM for city schools. Double-check which council your school falls under to avoid a wasted journey.
Weather Warning: Why Schools Are Closing in Grampian
The decision to close schools is based on a specific Amber Weather Warning issued by the Met Office, which is active from 6:00 PM Sunday (4 Jan) until 10:00 AM Monday (5 Jan).
Forecasters warn of “heavy and persistent snow” affecting Grampian, Moray, and the Highlands. The primary risks cited by authorities include:
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Drifting Snow: Strong winds may cause snowdrifts on rural roads, making them impassable even for 4×4 vehicles.
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Freezing Temperatures: A rapid freeze overnight will lead to treacherous ice on untreated surfaces.
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Travel Disruption: Police Scotland has advised that travel conditions will be hazardous, particularly on the A90 and rural B-roads.
School Transport Updates & Bus Cancellations
Because of the blanket school closure, all home-to-school transport in Aberdeenshire is cancelled for Monday, 5th January.
This includes:
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Council-contracted school buses.
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Taxi contracts for SEN (Special Educational Needs) transport.
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Feeder buses for remote areas.
Public Bus Services (Stagecoach Bluebird)
If you rely on public transport for work, be aware that Stagecoach North Scotland is reporting disruptions on several routes. The X7 (Aberdeen to Perth) and local Deeside services often face delays or diversions during Amber warnings. Always check the Stagecoach app before heading to the bus stop.
My Experience: In previous severe winters (like 2024), “cancelled” school transport often resumes before schools fully reopen. However, for Monday, the advice is clear: do not attempt to take children to school gates. There will be no staff on-site to receive them.
How to Check Your School’s Status (The 3-Step Routine)
If the situation changes for Tuesday, 6th January, here is the fastest way to get verified information before 7:30 AM:
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The Official Council Portal: Bookmark the [Aberdeenshire Council School Closures Page]. This is the source of truth. It updates automatically as Head Teachers log their status.
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Groupcall & Class Dojo: Most schools will push a text message or app notification directly to parents. Ensure your mobile number is up to date at the school office.
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School Information Line: If you have no internet access, you can call the Aberdeenshire School Information Line on 0370 054 4999. You will need your school’s specific 6-digit PIN (available in your school handbook).
Remote Learning: Switching to Google Classroom
A “Snow Day” in 2026 doesn’t always mean a day off. With the closure announced early (Sunday evening), most secondary schools will switch to remote learning.
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Secondary Pupils: Log in to GLOW or Microsoft Teams at the usual start time. Teachers will likely post assignments by 9:00 AM.
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Primary Pupils: Check your Class Dojo or Seesaw app. Teachers may post “snow day grids” with offline activities (e.g., “Build a snowman and calculate its volume” or “Write a sensory poem about the cold”).
Decisions & Safety: Can I Keep My Child Home?
Even if schools reopen on Tuesday, you might feel it is unsafe to drive from your specific location.
The Rule: You know your local road conditions better than a Head Teacher sitting 10 miles away. If you believe your journey is dangerous, you have the right to keep your child at home.
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Action: Mark the absence as “weather-related” when you call it in.
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Code: Schools can use a specific attendance code for pupils absent due to “Transport not running” or “Adverse Weather,” which does not negatively impact their attendance record.
FAQs
Will schools be open on Tuesday, 6th January?
A: It depends on the thaw. The Amber warning expires at 10:00 AM on Monday, but a Yellow warning for ice remains. A decision for Tuesday will likely be made by 4:00 PM on Monday.
Are school staff expected to attend?
A: Generally, staff are asked to attend if it is safe to do so, or to work from the nearest council facility. However, with a blanket closure, most staff will be working remotely.
Where can I find the official list of closed schools?
A: The full list is maintained on the [Aberdeenshire Council Website].
Can I drop my child at a “hub” school?
A: No. During a severe weather closure, there are no “hub” schools open for key worker children unless specifically announced by the Director of Education.
Conclusion
The start of the 2026 term has kicked off with a major freeze, resulting in a total closure of all Aberdeenshire schools for Monday, 5th January. Please do not attempt to travel to school.
Keep your devices charged, check your Groupcall notifications on Monday afternoon for Tuesday’s update, and stay off the roads unless your journey is absolutely necessary.
Next Step: Sign up for myAberdeenshire alerts immediately. It’s free and sends school closure notifications directly to your email, often beating the rush that crashes the main website.
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