Information for schools on planning for, and responding to emergency situations

Norovirus - Advice for Schools & Parents

Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis (diarrhoea & vomiting) in England and Wales and is easily spread from one person to another.  If norovirus was to affect pupils and/or staff at a school it may lead to the school’s closure. A school closure has a knock on effect on the parents/carers who are key workers in other areas of the public sector e.g. Health Services, thus undermining crucial service delivery.

The advice (below) aims to support schools in preventing the spread of the virus.  Advice to parents is also available.

 

Chalara Dieback in Kent - Advice to Schools

Chalara dieback is a serious disease of native European Ash caused by Chalara Fraxinea.  There have been approximately 30 sites across Kent (mainly in the east of the County) that have been confirmed as infected.  Not only will the widespread loss of Ash impact negatively upon the biodiversity of our County but the nature of the infection results in tissue death and branch failure, which in turn, may have health and safety implications.

This guidance contains information on:

  • How to identify Chalara dieback on your school site.
  • The audit of Ash tress in KCC maintained schools.
  • How to help to prevent the spread of the disease.
  • How to raising awareness amongst your students.

Chalara dieback in Kent - Advice to Schools

School Emergency Contact Details

It is very important that the Local Authority keeps a list of out of hours emergency contact details for every school in Kent.  An emergency incident may directly or indirectly affect a school and its day to day business and will often occur outside the normal school day or timetable.

To ensure KCC has an up to date list of contact details a NEW online form has been developed.  Please click on the link below and complete the contact information for five school representatives (this should only take 10-15 minutes).  This information will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by a restricted number of Local Authority Officers.

These contacts will also be used to populate the Kent Rest Centre Directory if you have already been identified as a designated rest/reception centre.

If you have already completed the online form for your school then you do not have to do this again.  However if you completed the online form and the school contact details have since changed please complete the form again.  Please be aware that you only need to detail the name and address of the school and the contact details that have changed - you do not need to complete the entire form again.

In addition, you will receive a copy of the information you have entered for your own records. 

School Emergency Contact Details

A reminder to update your information will be sent via the school e-bulletin every 4/5 months.

Please complete this form by 5pm 26th April 2012

Winter Planning Guidance for Kent Schools - 2012/2013

This guidance provides advice for headteachers on risks schools may face, preventative strategies and advice on how to communicate a school closure to parents, stakeholders and the Local Authority.

The Kent Closures Website

The Kent Closures website will publish school closures during severe snow and/or ice during the winter months. To make sure your school's emergency school closure appears on the Kent Closures website please register online in advance.  For information on registering and using the Kent Closures website please download the Winter Planning Guidance for Kent Schools 2012/2013 (see above).

If you have any problems registering please email the emergency planning team on emergency.planning@kent.gov.uk.  

School Emergency Management and Business Continuity Plan 

Below is a link to a template for a School Emergency Management and Business Continuity Plan.  Please use the supporting guidance to develop a tailored plan for your individual school.  The template and guidance are flexible and your plan should reflect circumstances and issues specific to your school.

 

The template and guidance have been developed in consultation with the Area Education Officers and Emergency Planning Team.

If you would like any further information or advice please contact the Emergency Planning Team on 01622 694991.

 

Kent Police - Your Guide to........

Kent Police have recently launched a series of guides offering concise, practical information and advice on a range of policing topics such as dealing with anti-social behaviour and internet safety.  These guides are available to download at the Kent Police website.

 

 

101 - Police Non-Emergency Number

While 999 is a well-recognised number used to report emergencies, the 2010 British Crime Survey found that 54% of the public do not know how to contact their local police if they want to talk to them about policing, crime or anti-social behaviour.  The introduction of the 101 number will give the public a simple, easy way to contact their local police force to report non-emergency crime and disorder, to speak to their local officers or make general enquiries.  The current Kent Police number, 01622 690690 will remain in place for callers from overseas but will no longer be promoted as the non-emergency number.

You may want to use the following examples with children and young people to promote the different circumstances under which you may call 101 and 999.

 

Perhaps ask children and young people to create posters highlighting when to use 101, which can then be displayed around the school to promote the new number to other pupils, parents and staff.

 

Call 999 if;

  • you or someone else are in danger
  • you can see someone committing a crime
  • someone has a weapon at school
  • you have been approached by a stranger and you feel threatened 

Call 101 when there is no life in danger or crime in progress. E.g

  • if your bicycle has been stolen
  • if you or a friend have been offered drugs
  • somone has intentionally damaged your property
  • you would like to speak to a local police officer
  • you have information about a crime that has already been committed 

Kent Crimestoppers

You can call Kent Crimestoppers to give information about a crime anonymously by calling 0800 555111

Frequently Asked Questions (and answers)

www.police.uk/101 

Schools as Rest / Reception Centres

A rest centre is set up to provide temporary accommodation for people who have been affected by an emergency and is intended to provide basic care for a short period while the incident is dealt with.  In some situations school buildings and/or facilities may be requested to act as rest centres.  This is an opportunity for schools to play a major role in supporting their community during a crisis situation. 

For more information:

 

 

 

Useful Websites

Kent County Council

National

For more information please contact:

Linsey Torode

Emergency Planning Officer

Emergency Planning Unit

Invicta House

Maidstone

Email lindsey.torode@kent.gov.uk or call 01622 222708

 | Published: 5-11-05  | Updated: 16-3-05  | TOP