Security lockdown procedures: informing parents and pupils

Follow our guidance when discussing emergency lockdown procedures with your pupils. Download our template letter to parents and see examples of letters from primary and secondary schools.

Last reviewed on 5 August 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 33573
Contents
  1. Talk to pupils both before and after a drill
  2. How to talk to pupils in an age-appropriate way
  3. Take a look at these resources
  4. Download our template letter to parents
  5. Example lockdown letters from a school

Our associate education experts David Roche and Jonathan Block helped us write this article.

Talk to pupils both before and after a drill

Before the drill

Talking to pupils before a lockdown drill will help you manage any anxiety they may feel. 

You can do this in an assembly, or ask teachers to talk to their own classes. 

It allows them to discuss a security lockdown in a familiar environment for pupils Pupils may feel more comfortable asking questions (about lockdown or the reasons for it) with staff they're more familiar with Staff can show pupils what they'll need to do, rather than tell them Staff can tailor the way they discuss the drill based on the pupils they have in their classes (for instance, pupils who speak limited English may need visual aids, or pupils with special