Do Schools Need a Lockdown System?

Things may not be as bad here in the UK as they seem to be in the USA, but we nevertheless have to do more to ensure that our children are as safe as possible when at school.

You may have heard reports on the news that have described schools as going into lockdown when a threat to the children there has been identified. But what is lockdown, how does it keep children safe and are schools legally obliged to have lockdown procedures in place?

The security experts at Scutum South East are here to provide all the answers you need.

What is a lockdown system?

Lockdown systems are an effective yet relatively inexpensive means of responding quickly to a fast-moving emergency situation where the safety of the children in your care could be at risk. 

In an educational establishment, a lockdown system is a means of providing an instant alert in the event of a perceived threat to pupils and staff. The alert will usually trigger a pre-recorded message or other signal that can be broadcast across the premises and potentially indicate the need for access points to be locked, pupils to be removed to a place of safety or other emergency plans to be put into action.

We usually think of the threats that could lead to a lockdown being only those that might involve an armed intruder, but situations such as a gas leak, an environmental hazard, a dangerous dog on the loose or a serious road accident close to the school could also all qualify.

How do lockdown systems work?

A lockdown system provides the means to broadcast a variety of pre-recorded messages that can trigger different responses depending on the nature and/or severity of the threat. Staff will have been trained to recognise the different messages and know what is required of them in order to respond appropriately.

Lockdown systems can be integrated with other security measures, such as access control systems and CCTV cameras, to provide a comprehensive security solution.

What are the laws surrounding lockdown systems?

At present, there are no laws or regulations requiring schools or other educational establishments to have a lockdown system. They are required to conduct health and safety risk assessments, and this will include identifying hazards and what could be done to minimise and deal with such risks.

However, it is expected that regulations specifically requiring active lockdown measures are likely to be introduced sooner rather than later – especially following the events in August 2024, when three children died following a knife attack at a dance class in Southport. 

Does my school need a lockdown system?

While a lockdown system is not currently mandatory for UK schools, the Department of Education does recommend them. You might also think that – although the chances of a situation arising where a lockdown would be required are extremely small – it’s better to have an emergency plan in place and not need it than the other way around.

Schools are, in any case, likely to have an increased legal requirement to make more concrete security provisions when Protect Duty legislation (also known as Martyn’s Law) comes into force. This is a series of security measures that entertainment venues and other locations used by the public will need to introduce and was a direct result of the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorism attack.

The benefits of lockdown systems

Having a lockdown system in place has numerous benefits for schools and colleges:

• A fast and effective way of responding to an emergency situation
• You have plans in place to keep everyone safe
• Teachers and other leaders know what is expected of them
• Preparedness for when lockdown systems are made mandatory

Here at Scutum South East, we can install bespoke lockdown systems that can be built around the layout and requirements of your school premises. It’s just a part of the extensive range of security systems and solutions available to businesses and organisations of all types working in and around South East England, including London and Surrey.

If you’d like to find out more about our lockdown systems, get in touch with us now.