Dear Mums and Dads,

At Colebourne the safety of staff and pupils is paramount. We have a number of risk assessments and procedures to ensure that we do all that we practically can to ensure the smooth and safe running of the school.

One of the procedures that we have is a Lock Down procedure. This enables us to react very quickly to any incidents which could threaten the safety of pupils and staff on the school site. Staff are trained in these procedures and these are practised to ensure we are prepared should we ever need to use them.

Lockdown procedures may be activated in response to any number of situations, but some of the more typical ones might be:

• A reported incident or civil disturbance in the local community which potentially poses a risk to the school community.
• An intruder on the school site with the potential to pose a risk to pupils, staff and visitors.
• A warning being received regarding a local risk of air pollution (e.g. smoke plume, gas cloud).
• A major fire in the vicinity of the school.
• The close proximity of a dangerous dog roaming loose.

Key information for parents during a lock down.

During a lock down:

• Where appropriate, parents will receive a message informing them that the school is in lockdown and any subsequent information and update will be sent via message. Parents should keep their phones on for updates.
• Parents do not need to and should not contact the school. Calling the school could tie up telephone lines that may be needed for contacting emergency service providers and during this period the switchboard and entrances will not be staffed, external doors locked and nobody will be allowed in or out.
• Parents must not come to the school. This could interfere with access by emergency service providers and may even put you and others in danger.
• Parents should wait for the school to contact them about when it is safe to come to collect their children. We will inform parents when and where this will be from.

Many thanks

Stuart Guest (Head Teacher)