Bursar’s Review ISBA Annual Conference 2019

UK schools are experiencing a growing trend for violent attacks on staff and students. Recently, there have been reports of incidents all over the country. However, it’s not just direct attacks on school property which are causing concern, but other incidents which potentially put staff and students at risk. Examples of dangerous occurrences include a youth wielding a knife outside a school in Sherborne 1 , a teenage gang attempting to gain access to school grounds in Stoke-on- Trent 2 and an air rifle being fired at a school in Almondbury 3 . All these resulted in schools going into lockdown. Clear information It is essential that accurate information is communicated clearly and quickly throughout the school, no matter whether the situation warrants evacuation or lockdown. Schools must have a working fire alarm fitted by law, but many use the same fire bell to announce class changes. This can lead to confusion, and while a bell can provide a clear alert that an emergency situation has arisen, it cannot differentiate between lockdown or evacuation. In the event of a possible violent intruder on the premises, the last thing any school wants is students streaming out onto a playground and gathering at assembly points. Richard Manby, managing director of Bodet Class Change Systems, explains how integrated class change and PA systems allow clearer safety messages to be broadcast at schools. Are your staff and students ready for lockdown? MORE INFORMATION: Richard Manby, managing director 01442 418800 isba.bodet.co.uk References 1. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-45571322 2. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-43003020 3. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4807157/huddersfield-school-incident-king-james-lockdown-latest-updates Clear and effective communications To solve this issue, some schools have installed integrated class change and PA systems such as Bodet’s Harmonys, which store a range of different tones, melodies and pre-recorded voice messages. As well as routine announcements such as class change, lunch or the end of school, in the event of an emergency they enable specific alarms to be broadcast across the entire site. That way, both staff and students know what’s happening and what action to take. Due to the random nature of these attacks and threats, there is little schools can do to prevent them. However, by having clear and effective communication systems installed alongside robust lockdown and evacuation procedures, schools can be certain they are doing all they can to ensure the safety of staff and students. Advertorial WRIGHTS 0115 9271 333 Covering all areas of the East Midlands, please give us a call. ROOFING To assist and guide you with all your roofing needs, offering advice support and sustainable solutions for all your roofing headaches.