Dear parents, carers and families,
At SCWA, we take safeguarding and safety very seriously. It is important that we continue to review and practice all our procedures, taking into account even those events that are very unlikely to occur. We have a procedure called ‘lockdown’ (not to be confused with lockdown in relation to Covid-19 and the pandemic). We will be practising this procedure on Wednesday this week and so I wanted to write to families to let you know and to explain that this is.
What is a lockdown and when would we carry it out?
A lockdown procedure is a standard health and safety procedure, similar to a fire drill.
Our lockdown procedure would be used when there is a threat to the safety of pupils, staff and others in the academy, and when it is safer for everyone to remain in the academy rather than evacuate. The aim is to keep people safe by confining them to a secure place of safety.
Situations where our lockdown procedure may be used include:
- a potentially dangerous person or animal on the academy site;
- a disturbance or dangerous situation in the local community that could affect the academy;
- a nearby chemical incident or other risk of air pollution; or
- an incident related to terrorism.
Our procedure
Our lockdown procedure, including step-by-step processes and our expectations regarding behaviour and conduct have been explained to staff and students. We have informed everyone that in the same way we practice fire drills, we will be having a lockdown practice. The signal to commence the lockdown procedure is a tannoy message, followed by radio messages and use of the internal telephone system and all staff email.
Instructions for parents in the event of an actual lockdown (not a practice drill)
- Parents/carers will be informed that the academy is in lockdown via a message through Bromcom and the academy’s website.
- Parents/carers should not attempt to call or come to the academy, as this may hinder the academy’s effort to contact and work with the emergency services.
- Parents/carers should not discuss the event on social media, as this may spread false information and create panic.
- Students will be instructed not to use mobile phones during a lockdown, so parents/carers should not be alarmed if your child does not answer their phone.
- In the event of the lockdown continuing beyond school hours, the academy website page will be updated with the latest information.
Staff have taken time to talk to students about lockdown procedures prior to the practice drill that will take place this week and have explained why they are important. They will reassure students during and after the drill, will emphasise that this is similar to a fire drill and will reiterate that practising procedures like this will make sure the academy remains a safe place to learn.
I must stress again this is simply a practice, so that in the highly unlikely event of such a situation, our students and staff are fully prepared.
If you or your child have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the academy at info@scwa.org.uk.
Best wishes
Ms A Croft | Associate Principal
