Security lockdown procedures: informing parents and pupils

Follow our guidance when discussing emergency lockdown procedures with your pupils, including how to talk to them in an age-appropriate way. Download our template letter to parents/carers.

Last reviewed on 21 July 2023
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 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/carers
  5. Example lockdown letter from a school

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

If you don't have a security lockdown procedure, you can adapt our template.

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,