School intruder training

We do the lockdown drills. The children are told it’s because of a dangerous animal in the playground. We are very rural and it has happened recently- a dog who lives near the school and is a bit aggressive got in to the playground at lunchtime, so we locked down. The children now feel like the have a valid reason for it - although none of them have questioned why we hide under desks or in cupboards in case the dog sees us..!!

Scottish* schools sorry . Tired.

Are there no runners in Scotland schools? We had several children escape , police involvement etc even with gates and fences. Can't imagine the outcomes if there was nothing.

@MumofSpud not a chance here. Scotland. All open boundaries, rights of way, public parks.

Not me you were quoting but I already explained this upthread - no not all schools can have secure boundaries. We can't even add rails to the low stone wall surrounding the playground as the school is a listed building in a heritage area. We certainly wouldn't be allowed the 6ft green wire fencing you see around most schools.

American who happens to work in a UK primary school here (England). Of course the UK needs intruder drills. You need slightly different ones (thankfully no need to teach children to zigzag as that's typically advice for shootings). Intrusions at primary level in this country are often sadly an estranged parent or someone with a specific child in mind. Sometimes it might be someone bent on doing something bigger, but locking down and hiding in place is still solid advice.

Secondary schools should probably have a different procedure as they have different potential dangers.

However! Holy shit the 40 minutes of terror described in the OP is uncalled for, especially if they've never even done a drill before.

This is so wrong I would be so so angry. That's so traumatising. Imagine those that have escaped or are experiencing violence at home. I hope a lot of parents complain.

They don’t lock the gates until home time though people could just walk in to the school grounds in most schools.

Most schools my way are community campuses so they house local library, part time registrar, part time housing office, as well as a gym and a pool/ squash courts that are available for public use during the school day.

Really?
Surely a basic of a school is to have secure boundaries?

@PurpleNebula84 the bomb was in another building

Yes, that was obviously to do with if you heard gunshots. I know that is, thankfully, incredibly unlikely.

You don't pick your bag up when it's a bomb threat, as you don't want to inadvertently take the bomb out with you to the evacuation point.

But you are assuming the intruder has a gun - in the UK that is very unlikely. Most likely either a parent kicking off, so children just need to be kept away from them (not a risk so much as a scary thing to witness), or worst case scenario somebody with a knife, and if there is a solid locked door between them and you, you are pretty safe. What you don’t want is children roaming the corridors and running into them.

Keep thinking about this.

I have no problem with the training, or any kind of safety training.

I am, however, horrified at the zero notice, and even the teacher knowing nothing about it.

Dangerous territory.

I would be taking this way, way further.

I've just asked my DD7 and she said they do lockdown drill which is under the table and locked classroom with blinds down. They also do lockout drill which is everyone out and led of grounds. These can't bother her as she's never mentioned them and seems to things they are about lose farm animals

My kids did it at secondary and primary but they were unbothered. They call it a school shooter drill even when there are more likely scenarios where it may be needed. Not heard of actors being used but I guess a member of staff trying each door would have the same effect. They'd heard of school shooters and lockdown drills in the US well before they did drills at their English school which may have helped maintain that it's not a big deal.

"I can’t imagine a head teacher thinking that is ok. "

If I were a HT I'd be taking to the streets and protesting to make damn sure the children in my care were safe, and if there was the slightest chance they might not be, that they, and the staff, knew what to do to make them safe.

It does seem to be that most posters in Scotland think that schools there don't do drills.

Appalling.

@Shopper727 have you asked your children? Most children (apart from those in OP's scenario) take lockdown drills in their stride, it is parents that seem to have the most issues with them. But if children are initially brought up with scenario of strange dog on the premises (or cows in our rural schools) then they don't seem to worry about them, whereas parents probably envisage American shooter scenario

If there’s an emergency like a fire they have drills for that, however my children (4 of them) in 3 seperate schools have never done lockdown drills, Scotland also. Doesn’t seem to be a thing here from reading other Scottish posters. I’m glad as my youngest(asd/adhd) would really struggle with it, especially in the circumstances the op reports.

I can’t imagine a head teacher thinking that is ok. We also don’t have perimeters the primary school you wouldn’t go onto the grounds during school but I often cut through secondary with the dog - through the carpark and only whilst kids are in school Doors of school are locked etc. i suppose if there were incidences of intruderS in other schools locally things might change Re lockdowns but I hope not. Feels pretty safe here for now at least. Such a worry sending your child to school not knowing if they will be safe there.

We had someone with mental health issues and with a sharp weapon ran across the playground , a weirdo that was stalking a teacher, very distressed or abusive parents because their kids went into care for example, and yes two dogs. All these incidents were in a span of about 15 years, but they do happen and it's good for staff and children to know exactly what to do if something happens.

This.

Lockdown drills and the intruders that necessitate them are a normal part of UK school life. Parents, children from other schools looking for a friend (or enemy), curious local nutters, ex students - it happens all the time, usually without any serious consequences because staff and children know how to challenge them safely. But sometimes there is malicious intent so we need to practice what to do in that unlikely event.

Ours was Kent, 2019.

Intruders don't make the news. Because, funnily enough, drills, and the children knowing what to do, means they stay as intruders, not as mass murderers.

What do you suggest we should have done the afternoon a gang of drunks with knives came onto our school premises, chased two teachers out of the gate and then started towards the classrooms?

Said "oh how inappropriate" and let them in? Or what we did. Lockdown and call the police.

Just asked my youngest and her primary school do lockdown drills. They are very efficient too by the sounds of it. Into the nearest classroom, blinds closed and under desks. Whilst it's sad they have to do this i really appreciate it being done. If she hasn't mentioned it before it must be seamless and not a big deal.
That does sound a bit much at your kids school OP but better it's done than not!

sorry @Jellycats4life I didn't mean to quote you, it was a general point.