Emergency procedures in schools have traditionally focused on evacuation, getting everyone out of a building safely. But Martyn’s Law brings a renewed emphasis on what happens when staying inside is the safest option.
For many schools, this is entirely new territory. While fire drills are familiar, procedures for invacuation and lockdown require a different mindset, different planning, and a different level of clarity.
School leaders must be confident not only in what these terms mean, but when and why each one is used.
What Is an Invacuation?
Invacuation is the process of moving everyone inside and away from a threat. It may mean bringing students in from outdoor spaces, or relocating classes internally from one area of the school to another.
Invacuation is typically used when:
- A threat is outside the school perimeter
- A threat is on school grounds but not inside buildings
- Staff and students need to move to a safer internal location
Invacuation is often the first phase of a developing incident and may lead into a lockdown if the situation escalates.
Examples can range from very low-level issues (such as extreme weather or a stray dog) to more serious situations where you must act decisively based on counter-terrorism best practice, including the principles of:
RUN – HIDE – TELL or the education specific GUIDE – SHELTER – COMMUNICATE (where students are usually in the primary care of an adult)
Your invacuation plan must be robust, realistic, and tailored to your site. The decisions you make should reflect:
- Your building layout
- Your grounds and perimeter
- Your population size
- Your supervision structure
- The nature of the threat
Invacuation is not about fear, it’s about control, organisation, and maintaining safety through calm, coordinated movement.
What Is a Lockdown?
Lockdown is a higher-level response used when there is a threat inside the building or one that could directly compromise the safety of students and staff.
Lockdown usually involves:
- Securing individual rooms
- Restricting movement
- Reducing visibility or exposure
- Waiting safely until emergency services take control
Where invacuation moves people towards safety, lockdown keeps people held in safety.
It is based on universal protective principles, but cannot be overly prescriptive. Every school’s plan will look different because:
- Buildings vary
- Communication systems vary
- Staff locations vary
- Access points vary
Instead of rigid rules, schools should overlay the principles of lockdown onto their own environment. This means understanding:
- Where your safest spaces are
- How staff can secure their rooms
- How communication will be maintained
- How students with additional needs will be supported
A strong lockdown plan is not defined by complexity, it’s defined by clarity.
Invacuation vs. Lockdown: A Simple Comparison
Both procedures are essential. Both require confidence, training, and clarity. But they are not interchangeable.
Why This Distinction Matters
For many schools, terms like “lockdown” are entirely new. But understanding the difference between invacuation and lockdown is now a critical responsibility for school leaders, safeguarding teams, site managers and the nominated Responsible Person under Martyn’s Law.
When your team understands the distinction, they can:
- Respond faster
- Communicate more clearly
- Keep students calmer
- Act with confidence rather than hesitation
Good plans protect people. Great plans empower people to act.
Conclusion
Invacuation and lockdown are not just procedures, they are essential components of a school’s modern safety culture and key scenarios under Martyn’s Law. The key is not rigid rules but thoughtful preparation: understanding your site, applying best-practice principles, and ensuring every member of staff knows how to act.
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