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Security lockdown procedures: template and guidance

Keep your school safe in the event of a critical incident. Download our template emergency lockdown plan and adapt it to your school's needs. See examples from other schools.

Last reviewed on 5 October 2023
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Contents
  1. Do we need a security lockdown plan?
  2. Download and adapt our template
  3. Communicate your procedure to pupils and parents/carers
  4. School examples
Please note: the DfE has advised that you should not initiate lockdown in your school unless actively recommended to do so by the police, or if you're sure it's a proportionate response to an immediate physical threat on the school site.

Do we need a security lockdown plan?

Your school isn't legally required to have a security lockdown procedure or policy.

However, the law requires employers to take steps to reduce or eliminate health and safety-related risks, including security risks. If you're a maintained school, check whether your local authority sets its own requirements. If you're an academy, check your trust's requirements.

You should have a security lockdown plan if you feel it would help you manage risks, or that you're at high risk of a scenario where a lockdown would be needed. This could include:

  • An incident or civil disturbance in the local community that poses a risk to your school
  • An intruder on the site with the potential to pose a risk to your school
  • Local risk of air pollution, such as a smoke plume or gas cloud
  • A major fire in the vicinity of the school
  • A dangerous dog roaming loose

Do also check with your insurance provider to see if it requires you to have a security lockdown procedure. 

Be clear on roles and responsibilities

As the headteacher, you're responsible for deciding on the level of response required for an incident, unless you've delegated this to another staff member. 

You should practise the lockdown procedure at the start of each term and make sure all staff are aware of their roles.

This is explained in the DfE's site security guidance (section 1.11).

See our template below for more on roles and responsibilities.

Think about examination contingency planning

Make sure you're prepared for possible disruption to exams and other assessments in the event of an emergency. Use our model examination contingency plan to set out your approach. 

Download and adapt our template

KeyDoc: template security lockdown procedure

Use our template to set out a procedure to meet your school's needs, including signals for going into lockdown and who is responsible for what. It's based on the DfE's site security guidance and lockdown template.

If you share a school site

Communicate your procedure to pupils and parents/carers

Use our guidance and template letter to inform parents/carers and pupils of your lockdown procedures and communicate your arrangements. Get advice on what to do before and after a drill, to help prepare your pupils.

Keep your procedure secure

Some schools display their lockdown procedure on their website.

If you decide to do this, consider whether the level of detail could compromise pupil and staff safety if it was made public – for example, information on all entry and exit points, and whole school assembly points. 

School examples