Introduction
Within the last few months, schools across the country have introduced “USA style” lockdown drills. This is a practice exercise that teaches pupils and staff how to respond in a serious incident. Examples include an intruder, weapons threat, or any other situation that threatens lives. While they are still new and not mandatory by law, the fact that schools feel the need for them shows there are growing concerns. This is regarding serious youth violence and safety in and around schools.
The growing concerns regarding youth safety in the UK
Recently, knife crime amongst young people in the UK has increased significantly. Thus raising growing concerns regarding the safety in schools and local communities. Situations that have resulted in serious violence have become more frequent. Additionally, students are even going as far as to bring weapons onto school grounds. As a result, anxiety and worry amongst students, parents, and educators are at an all-time high. The dangers within educational settings call for immediate action.
Therefore, schools are under a significant amount of pressure to improve their emergency procedures and safeguarding measures. Many are reviewing safety procedures, working more closely with local authorities and ensuring that staff and students know how to respond in the case of an event.
Now that’s not to say such incidents happen on a recurring basis. The government has not identified this issue to be serious enough to make these drills mandatory by law. Instead, schools just want to ensure the safeguarding of students and staff.
USA-style Lockdown Drills: What are they and what do they do?
USA-style lockdown drills are a school safety exercise practiced commonly in the United States. They are designed to prepare schools for violent incidents that are an immediate threat to safety. Unlike traditional fire drills, these exercises centre around staying indoors and in the classroom, as opposed to evacuating the premises.
This drill is intended to teach students and staff how to respond quickly and calmly to dangerous situations that take place on school premises. Additionally, these drills are practised regularly and routinely to minimise confusion, improve communication and increase overall safety during emergencies.
Why the UK schools are starting these USA-Style Lockdown Drills
The UK’s desire to implement these drills is mainly as a result of the growing concern of safety in and around schools. Knife crime is the highest it’s ever been, and this has schools feeling more vulnerable. Within the last few months, serious cases have received widespread public attention. There is an increasing fear that schools will not know how to respond if such an incident were to happen.
Authorities and school leaders have shown support for these drills, believing that practising them ahead of time will help minimise the panic and confusion. That way if this were to become a real-life situation, people would know what to do.
How these Lockdown Drills will be done in UK schools
The drills will involve multiple actions that will keep students safe during a serious incident. Within UK schools this includes locking classroom doors, turning off lights and being silent to avoid drawing attention. Students will additionally be taught to move away from doors and windows and stay out of eye view until further guidance is given.
Teachers will also play a big role in these drills. This includes taking charge of the classroom, and giving clear instructions to ensure calmness and order. In some cases schools may practice evaluation routines, depending on the severity of the perceived threat and the guidance provided by emergency services.
Government and Public Reaction
As previously mentioned, there’s no specific or mandatory UK government requirement for schools to perform lockdown drills. However, the Department for Education supports schools’ development of safety plans catered to their needs, including these lockdown drills.
Additionally, supporters argue that these drills will help schools to know how to act in unlikely but serious circumstances. They also argue that it makes students and staff more confident and aware of how to respond.
But critics are questioning the appropriateness of these drills, especially in primary schools where the children are still young, or in SEND schools where children are the most vulnerable. Some parents and education officials argue that practicing reactions to violent or life-threatening scenarios could cause distress and anxiety for students. Therefore they need to be done calmly. It’s important to issue age-appropriate explanations, especially when exercising with kids, to ensure children realise the significance without being scared.
Thus, drills need to be carefully planned to avoid unnecessary stress. The UK guidance on protective security in education settings emphasizes that practices should be inclusive and consider students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Additionally, young children are protected and catered to in a child-friendly way.
Conclusion
With the growing concern of youth violence, as well as gang and knife crime, these USA-style lockdown drills are a good initiative to reduce fear and ensure that school grounds are safe.
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