Rationale 

The purpose of this plan is to minimise the impact of crises on children, parents/carers, governors and our community in the event of an emergency. This will enable all of our community to move into action proactively in making decisions, clarifying the emergency and communicating with relevant and appropriate bodies. Governors will review this planning policy when appropriate, with advice from the Senior Leadership Team. This plan is developed in conjunction with the business continuity plan.  

There may be extremely rare circumstances when the school needs to ‘lock down’ in a definable hostile or threatening situation.  Lock down is defined by NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office as: 

“Dynamic lockdown is the ability to quickly restrict access and egress to a site or building (or part of) through physical measures in response to a threat, either external or internal. The aim of lockdown is to prevent people moving into danger…” 

Staff will not independently decide that the lock down situation has ended. The ending of the lockdown will be decided by the Headteacher and staff will be contacted via the phone pyramid to update them.

The policy and procedures will be reviewed every 3 years or after an incident is logged (See Appendix A).  This review will include all representatives of SLT, nominated teaching staff and other stakeholders if required. 

Emergency/Disaster contingency planning and guidance 

Schools should be able to respond immediately to potential critical incidents. Health and Safety checks through our policies and procedures, combined with relevant, up-to-date and tested evacuation procedures assist the school in responding to situations. However, the school must be able to respond to unexpected situations in a co-ordinated and effective way. A lockdown should be initiated when a situation arises that requires the isolation (rather than evacuation) of staff and students from an identified threat. 

After an incident

The school must complete an incident log (Appendix A) following an incident leading to lockdown.  This must include full SLT involvement.  This must be completed within 24hours of the incident to ensure clarity of detail. Action points must be noted as a result of evaluation and completed within the agreed timescale. A copy of this incidence form must be sent to Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service healthandsafety@swansea.gov.uk and the Director of Education.

Threats to the safety of individuals on this site include; 

1. Violence and assault caused by any person 
2. Intentional destruction or vandalism or accidental damage to all or part of the school/site 
3. Siege/hostage incident 
4. Civil disturbances and terrorism 
5. Dangerous Animals
6. A criminal act where weapons are used
7. Lightning/Seere weather
8. External circumstances as advised by the police force or another agency

A lockdown procedure may involve part or whole of the school. Llangyfelach Primary School will respond to these issues with the use of a Lock-Down Procedure (LDP).   This is for staff and governor information only.

 

This policy will be reviewed when required.

July 2026