Lockdown Procedures - Do You Know What to Do?
Police are concerned about US-style attacks on schools.
A recent article in The Guardian revealed that in 2022 police had made several “close calls” by foiling terror plots aimed at schools at the last minute. These interventions were made when would-be attackers had already picked targets and were gathering weapons.
Metropolitan Police counter-terror head, Matt Jukes, said there are growing numbers of reports of children obsessed by mass shootings, with boys as young as 13 coming to the attention of the police as potential terrorist threats. Speaking at a Scotland Yard briefing in February, Jukes said: “We have absolutely seen cases in which we have intervened with young people to prevent them going on, potentially, to carry out attacks in their schools."
Jukes' statement comes in the same week that two Stoke-on-Trent schools were placed in lockdown, following the sighting of an armed man. The Discovery Academy and nearby Maple Court Academy, both in Bentilee, ordered students to remain in their classrooms at the end of the school day to 'ensure safety'.
With that in mind - is your school 'lockdown ready'?
What is a 'Lockdown'?
Schools may face a threat posed by something occurring outside the school that prevents the evacuation of students (lockdown with warning), or a threat that has succeeded in entering the building (lockdown with intruder). In these situations, schools should be prepared to take steps to isolate students, teachers and staff from danger by instituting a school lockdown to keep them safe from potential harm.
A lockdown removes students and staff from the threat, isolates the danger as much as possible, allows students to be accounted for and, when the circumstances allow, facilitates evacuation. Alarms are not utilised in lockdown situations for two reasons. Firstly, the nature of the threat must be established. If applicable, the announcement of “lockdown with warning” or “lockdown with intruder” should be repeated over the school tannoy several times (other methods of alerting staff will be necessary if no tannoy exists or when schools deem that more appropriate). Secondly, the alarm can be misleading. “All clear” is the only trusted announcement to signal the end of lockdown.
Practicing Lockdown Procedure
All schools should practice their lockdown procedures at least once a year. Handsam recommends creating scenarios which are as realistic as possible, but briefing students as to what will happen, explaining to them that this is practicing a different type of response to an emergency situation to a fire drill, which involves evacuation. A task exists in the Handsam Health and Safety tasklist to prompt schools to practice their lockdown procedure, in the Emergencies category.
“All clear” is the only trusted announcement to signal the end of lockdown.
Lockdown with Warning
If the threat is outside, lock exterior doors, secure windows and clear hallways, restrooms and other rooms that cannot be secured. Move children away from windows. Cover classroom windows to obscure the view from outside. Classes outside must have alternate secure lockdown locations established where the students can be hidden. Take attendance registers and make safe any stray people. Classes may continue but bells should be disabled and students moved on announcement only..
Lockdown with Intruder
If an intruder is inside the building, immediately direct all students, staff and visitors into the nearest classroom or secured space and lock classroom doors, but not exterior doors. Keep pupils quiet and clear of windows. Ask them to sit on the floor and turn off the lights in order to keep out of sight as much as possible. Take attendance registers. Classes outside should remain where they are and not enter the building.
Handsam Resources
If you have any concerns about lockdown procedures or any other school security matters, Handsam may be able to help. We offer a wide range of security related guidance, including:
Example Crisis Management Policy
Example Dealing with Trespassers Policy
Example Security and Safety of Premises Policy
GM39 School Office Safety: Self-audit
S06 Security: Assessment Audit