What would you do if a bull was running loose at your school?
What would you do if a bull was running loose at your school playground?
That is one of the questions being asked at an Easter Ross primary school next week as part of a planned safety “lockdown drill” – an increasingly common practice across Highland schools to help prepare staff and pupils for a range of potential threats.
The exercise, to be rolled out at Kiltearn Primary in Evanton, plans to use the image of a ‘dangerous’ animal on school grounds to help explain why lockdown drill practice is important.
In a message to parents, the school said: “As part of our health and safety policy, we must practise evacuation drills regularly. In addition, schools must now complete a lockdown drill annually.”
Unlike a fire drill, lockdown procedures involve remaining indoors and out of sight.
Pupils will be guided by staff to sit quietly in a designated area of their classroom when the alarm sounds – a continuous signal that won’t stop until the drill is over.
To help children understand, staff will talk them through the plan the day before.
The school told parents: “The example we will give as to why we are practicing is that a dangerous animal, such as a bull or large dog, has entered the playground.”
“We understand this may be upsetting for some children, however, it is absolutely necessary to rehearse this. Please be assured this will be completed in a sensitive manner.”
Parents with concerns have been encouraged to contact the school ahead of the drill.
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “As with other local authorities in Scotland (and local education authorities in England and Wales), guidance is issued to schools in Highland about implementing lockdown, or ‘sheltering in place’, arrangements.
“Highland Council operates a lockdown or ‘sheltering in place’ guidance procedure at all school settings across Highland. Sheltering in place procedures would be applicable should an intruder enter school grounds, but may also be activated in response to a number of situations, including:
“A reported incident/civil disturbance in the local community (with the potential to pose a risk to staff and pupils in the school)
“The close proximity of a dangerous dog or other animal roaming loose
“A major fire in the vicinity of the school
“A warning being received regarding a risk locally of air pollution (smoke plume, gas cloud etc.) or chemical, biological or radiological contaminants.
“As part of the guidance, it is recommended that these arrangements are tested so as to demonstrate their effectiveness.”
