Lockdown Guidance for Parents

The Governors of Askern Littlemoor Infant Academy are committed to protecting the security, safety and welfare of its pupils, staff and third parties working on or visiting the premises.
To meet this commitment, the school has a robust and tested lockdown procedure.

Lockdown Procedure:
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.

• Staff will be alerted to the activation of the lockdown procedure plan by a recognised signal, audible throughout the school.
• Pupils who are outside of the school buildings are brought inside/taken outside as quickly as possible.
• All external doors and, as necessary, windows are locked (depending on circumstances,  internal classroom doors may also need to be locked) and blinds drawn.
• Staff should encourage the pupils to keep calm.
• As appropriate, the school should establish communication with the Emergency Services as soon as possible.
• If necessary, parents should be notified as soon as it is practicable to do so via the school's established communications system.
• PUPILS WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO PARENTS DURING A LOCKDOWN.
• If it is necessary to evacuate the building, the fire alarm will be sounded.
• Staff should await further instructions.

The school’s lockdown procedures will be known to members of the senior leadership team,
school administrators, teaching staff and non-teaching staff. To achieve this, a lockdown drill will be undertaken at least once a year.

Pupils will be aware of the plan. Parents will know that there is a policy and that it is on the school's website.

Communication with parents:

Parents should be given enough information about what will happen so that they:

• Are reassured that the school understands their concern for their child’s welfare, and that it is doing everything possible to ensure his/her safety;
• Do not need to contact the school. Calling the school could tie up telephone lines that are needed for contacting emergency providers;
• Do not come to school. They could interfere with emergency provider’s access to the school and may even put themselves and others in danger;
• Wait for the school to contact them about when it is safe for them to come and collect their children, and where this will be from.

Lockdown Drills:
Lockdown practices will take place a minimum of once a year to ensure everyone knows exactly what to do in such a situation. Monitoring of practices will take place and be debriefed to staff so improvements can be made.