LOCKDOWN PROCEDURE

Co-op Academy Medlock

Contents:

1.        Introduction

2.        Communication & Review

2.        Lockdown with Warning Procedures

3.        Lockdown with Intruder Procedures

4.        Lockdown Prior to School Starting Procedures

5.        Lockdown During After School Activities Procedures

6.         Your Local Plan

• Staff Responsibilities
• Signals
• Lockdown Plan

7.        Lockdown Checklists

1.        Introduction

This document is to provide guidance in the event of an intruder on site or threat against the school, pupils or staff during the school day.

It should be stressed that the probability of an incident involving intruders seeking to cause harm in any school is very low. However, in the same way that schools should prepare for a fire, they should be prepared to respond to all eventualities. This guidance is not intended solely for use in cases of intruders but could also be employed whenever the safety of staff and pupils could be at risk, for example in cases of civil disturbance or a major fire or other incident nearby.

In general, there are two main lockdown situations:

1. Lockdown with warning: The threat is outside the school building.
2. Lockdown with intruder: The threat or intruder is inside the school building.

Whilst these procedures should be agreed in advance, it is recognised that a dynamic risk assessment may need to be applied which takes into account the nature of the potential threat and the location of staff and pupils.

2.        Communication & Review

Lockdown Procedures must be communicated to all staff on a regular basis, and a method of practicing lockdown procedures with pupils should be in place for all Schools. Lockdown Procedures should also be reviewed post incident or practice drill.

3.        Lockdown with Warning Procedures

The following procedures should be followed when the threat is outside of the school building:

• School office orders and announces over the loudhailer “lockdown”. Be direct. DO NOT USE CODES. This announcement should be repeated several times across all floors and outside.
• Important:

• Special attention should be paid to classes that are outside of the school building, such as playgrounds and fields.
• Teachers must be able to hear the lockdown announcement.
• An alternate lockdown location must be identified. This location can be indoors or outdoors (if students can be safely hidden).

• Lock exterior doors.
• Clear hallways, bathrooms, and other rooms that cannot be secured.
• Secure and cover classroom windows.
• Move all persons away from the windows.
• Take attendance of students in each classroom.

• Teachers should prepare a list of missing and extra students in the room.
• Teachers should take this list with them once they are directed to leave the classroom.

• Control all movement but continue classes. Disable bells. Move on announcement only.
• Once the threat has subsided, the school office announces, “all clear” using the loudhailer.

4.                Lockdown with Intruder Procedures

The following procedures should be followed when the threat or intruder is inside of the school building:

• School office orders and announces, “lockdown intruder” using the loudhailer. Be direct. DO NOT USE CODES. Announcements should be repeated several times and across all floors and outside.
• Immediately direct all students, staff, and visitors into the nearest classroom or secured space.
• Classes that are outside of the building SHOULD NOT enter the building.
• Move outside classes to the primary evacuation site next to the Wadeson Road entrance gate
• Lock classroom doors.
• DO NOT lock exterior doors.
• Move people away from the windows and doors. Keep all students sitting on the floor and turn off the lights.
• Take attendance of students in each classroom.

• Teachers should prepare a list of missing and extra students in the room.
• Teachers should prepare to take this list with them once they are directed to leave the classroom.

• DO NOT respond to anyone at the door until “all clear” is announced via the loudhailer.
• Keep out of sight.
• Be prepared to ignore any fire alarm activation, as the school will not be evacuated using this method during a lockdown.
• When or if students are moved out of the classroom, assist them in moving as quietly and quickly as possible.
• When the threat is over/the intruder has left the building, the building administrator announces, “all clear.”

Special Considerations

5.        Lockdown Prior to School Starting Procedures

• Staff gathers all students in the hallways into their classrooms or other rooms.
• Other Activities leaders (e.g. Preschool/Breakfast) gather students and report attendance.
• Administration and custodial staff check the hallways and exterior of the building.
• Administration posts an individual at the drop-off location, alerting parents and children.
• Staff takes attendance of students in their room.
• At “all clear,” students report to their form room or first class to take attendance.

6.        Lockdown During After School Activities Procedures

• Event leaders gather students and take attendance.
• Administration staff checks the hallways and other rooms.

Please note that some threats, such as a confirmed fire or intruder within a classroom, may override lockdown procedures. Also, lockdowns may be initiated in non-threatening circumstances to keep people away from areas where there may be a medical emergency or other disturbance.

6.        Your Plan Local Plan

7.        Lockdown Checklist