'You hear of this sort of thing in America' - Derry schools warned of 'lockdown drills'

Schools across Northern Ireland, including in Derry, are implementing security lockdown measures. 

Staff are being trained in what to do and pupils will be required to do lockdown drills at least once a year. 

A document on the Education Authority's website says that the security lockdown is a procedure being introduced to "protect staff and pupils reducing the risk of harm in the event of any potential threat." 

It requires a member of staff to be allocated the role of Lockdown Controller who will be the person that is responsible for initiating, controlling, and concluding the lockdown. 

They would also be responsible for contacting emergency services. 

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These details have been circulated in schools, including a number of Derry schools, prompting some concern.

In the event of a lockdown, a number of protective measures would take place and a text message sent to parents informing them that there is a lockdown in place, but no explanation as to why is to be given. 

"The actual details of the school security lockdown procedure should not be shared with parents/guardians," the document states.

Parents will also be informed not to contact the school, their children in the school, or to attempt to enter the school.

Protective measures that would be taken include windows being closed and blinds drawn, all door windows being covered, pupils being moved away from windows, lights, smartboards, and computer monitors turned off, and phones turned on silent.

Should the threat be significant enough, pupils and staff are encouraged to sit on the floor gathered together in an attempt to make the group easier to move and manage.

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The document also states that "action short of a full lockdown" would be considered where there is not a direct threat to the school or the people inside, such as a dangerous dog in the school grounds. 

In a situation like that, staff and pupils would be required to stay inside the school and lock all external doors but teaching and activities can continue as normal.

In the case of a knife or gun attack, a number of guidelines have been released by The National Counter Terrorism Security Office.

The advice is to "run, hide, and tell."

Run to a safe place, hide if you cannot run somewhere safely, and tell the police when you are safe. 

The lockdown procedures being implemented have caused quite a stir online with a number of parents concerned.

"I'm pulling mine out as soon as they start with the drills," "You hear of this sort of thing in America, never in a million years did I think it would be happening over here," and "As soon as I know my grandkids schools start practicing I won't be sending them back," are just a few of the comments people have left on a post by on a community Facebook page in Co Down. 

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A number of other parents have welcomed the news stating that it is better to be prepared than not if there was a need for a lockdown. 

"Personally I would rather they practice it so that kids automatically know what to do and can do it quickly also same for staff. I hope there is never any need for it but it probably time our schools looked at measures they can put in easily in case of an emergency where no one can gain access," one person commented. 

Another added that "these procedures teach children and adults what to do and try and keep them safe SHOULD someone bring terror to a school. We have to live our lives not live in fear of animals, who seek to destroy us. So as a parent I ABSOLUTELY YES, I want people to have thought about "what if" and have plans in place, rather than have teachers and kids be expected to make it up as they go along." 

Others from America and England said themselves or their children had learned similar procedures in preparation for a potential bomb or gun attack. 

A statement from a spokesperson at the Education Authority to Derry Now says: "This guidance has not been provided because of any specific risk or concerns. It is to help schools prepare for different types of potential situations. These can include, for example, dogs or livestock unexpectedly straying onto school grounds, civil unrest in the neighbourhood, chemical leaks, hostile intruders on school sites, or major incidents in the surrounding vicinity such as a traffic accident or fire.

"Lockdown drills - similar to fire safety drills - are an opportunity to test that all arrangements set out in a school emergency preparedness plan work properly. The primary focus of a lockdown drill is to ensure that staff and pupils fully understand the actions they need to take in the event of the school having to activate their lockdown procedure," it added.