School exercise goes to plan

Saundersfoot CP School recently held a successful live exercise involving the evacuation of the whole school, to test the effectiveness of its Business Continuity arrangements.

Business continuity planning – a statutory requirement – enables schools to maintain their key functions in the event of an incident.

Having been given a scenario by Paul Eades, the Council’s Risk and Business Continuity Manager, the headteacher, Nick Allen and his staff quickly and calmly ensured the safe and speedy evacuation of all pupils to the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot.

The exercise was overseen by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police.

Mr Eades said afterwards: “The staff at Saundersfoot School did a terrific job, demonstrating in practical terms that they have robust business continuity arrangements in place.

“I would like to commend them for their excellent performance and all the hard work that has been put into the planning process.”

Headteacher, Mr Allen, added: “The evacuation of all pupils, staff and visitors to the Regency Hall went extremely well. This is a testament to all staff and pupils for their attitude and approach to the event.

“I am most grateful to the Regency Hall for allowing this event to be held there. They opened up all the facilities for the school to use and this helped ensure the procedure was a success.

“I would also like to thank the parents for their help in the collection of the children.

“The event helped test the school’s plans and I am glad to say is was a success. Let’s hope we never have to use it, but my attitude is similar to the boy scouts – ‘be prepared!’

Caption
Saundersfoot pupils make their orderly way to Regency Hall.