At Valley Gardens Middle School, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our highest priority. While we hope we never need to use them, we have clear and well-rehearsed procedures in place to respond to any situation that may pose a risk to those on site. These include drills such as fire-alarms, evacuation and invacuation and lockdowns. We will regularly practice these drills throughout the school year, and whilst parent/carers will likely be familiar with fire drills from their own time at school and their own workplaces, you may be less familiar with lockdown procedures. At some point we will be running a lockdown drill to ensure all pupils, especially those in our new Y5 cohort know what to do in the event of an emergency situation and this short guide explains what a lockdown is, why it might happen, and how we will keep your child safe.
What is a Lockdown?
A lockdown is a precautionary measure designed to keep everyone safe in the event of a potential threat, either inside or near the school. It allows us to secure the building quickly and calmly while maintaining as much normality as possible.
When Might a Lockdown Happen?
We may initiate a lockdown in response to:
- An intruder on or near the school grounds
- A disturbance or incident in the local community
- A dangerous animal roaming nearby
- A major fire or hazardous smoke/gas in the area
- A warning about air pollution or other environmental risks
What Happens During a Lockdown?
There are two types of lockdown:
1. Partial Lockdown (Precautionary)
- All pupils and staff come indoors.
- External doors and windows are secured.
- Lessons continue inside, with movement limited and supervised.
- This allows us to maintain calm while staying alert.
2. Full Lockdown (Immediate Threat)
- Pupils remain in their classrooms with their teacher.
- All doors and windows are locked and covered. If blinds are not available, staff will use paper or other materials to block visibility.
- Lights are turned off and everyone stays quiet and out of sight.
- Registers are taken and communication with emergency services is established.
- Pupils remain indoors until the all-clear is given by senior staff or emergency services.
Communication with Families
If a lockdown occurs:
- We will contact parents and carers as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Please do not call or come to school during a lockdown. This could block emergency lines or delay access for emergency services.
- Pupils will not be released during a lockdown.
- Once it is safe, we will let you know when and where to collect your child.
You may receive a message like this:
“The school is currently in a full lockdown. During this time, the building is secured, phones may not be answered, and no one will be allowed in or out. We will contact you again as soon as it is safe.”
Helping Your Child Feel Safe
We regularly review and practise our lockdown procedures with staff and pupils in a calm, age-appropriate way. This helps ensure that everyone knows what to do and can respond quickly and confidently if needed.
We are especially mindful of pupils who may have sensory sensitivities, additional needs, or a more anxious disposition. These children will be gently prepared in advance and supported throughout the process to ensure the experience is as calm and untraumatic as possible. Our aim is always to build confidence, not fear.
You can support your child by:
- Reassuring them that lockdowns are rare and are practised to keep everyone safe.
- Encouraging them to follow adult instructions and stay calm.
- Reminding them that school is a safe place and that staff are trained to look after them.
In the event of a lockdown drill we will contact all parent/carers afterwards to ensure you are aware that a drill took place and that there is no cause for any genuine alarm.
What Is an Invacuation?
An invacuation is different from a lockdown. It’s used when there is no direct threat to the school, but we need to bring everyone indoors quickly as a precaution — for example, due to a nearby incident, poor weather, or a medical emergency outside.
During an invacuation:
- All pupils and staff are brought inside calmly and promptly.
- External doors are secured.
- Lessons continue as normal once everyone is safely indoors.
- There is no need to hide or lock down classrooms.
Invacuations are a routine safety measure and are practised with pupils in the same calm, reassuring way as fire drills.
