Lockdown Practice: October 14th 2022
Dear Parent/Carer,
Later this week, your child will be shown a short video clip on how to prepare for a “lockdown procedure” in case this was ever needed. This is in place in every school across the country and we just wanted you to know in advance that we will then undertake a brief practice on Friday October 14th at the end of Period 2.
Lockdown procedures should be seen as a sensible and proportionate response to any external or internal incident which has the potential to pose a threat to the safety of staff and pupils in the school. This is underpinned by our safeguarding procedures and the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022’ document. Procedures should aim to minimise disruption to the learning environment whilst ensuring the safety of all pupils and staff.
Lockdown procedures may be activated in response to any number of situations, but some of the more typical might be:
- A reported incident/ civil disturbance in the local community (with the potential to pose a risk to staff and pupils in the school)
- An intruder on the school site (with the potential to pose a risk to staff and pupils)
Plan of Action in Preparation for Possible Lockdown Threat
- A continuous alarm will sound (a different one to the fire alarm).
- Students will be asked to stand up and go to a place of safety in the room away from windows or doors – they may hide under tables out of sight.
- The member of staff in their room will lock the doors, turn the lights off and, if possible, close any blinds.
- Staff and students are to remain quiet until the threat has been dealt with.
- Students and staff are to remain hidden until the alarm has stopped and they have been told that it is safe to resume activities.
If you have any questions regarding the lockdown procedure or practice, please do not hesitate to contact me at: [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
Claire Fairburn
Assistant Principal