Secondary school makes kids do US-style shooter drills with pupils told to ‘run and hide’ and stay away from windows

A SECONDARY school is making children carry out US-style shooter drills with pupils told to “run and hide” and stay clear from the window.

The school in North Wales introduced the "safe mode drills" because it wants to keep pupils and staff safe in an emergency situation.

The Department for Education does not require schools to have an evacuation and lockdown plan.

But Ysgol Eirias school in Colwyn Bay have decided to create their own.

Parents received an email this week explaining what the "safe mode drills" involve.

It explained the 1,535 pupil school "must be prepared in case there is a situation which might affect the safety and/or wellbeing of any member of our school community".

Advice on "safe mode" states: "If outside, move into the building if safe to do so and seek a safe environment e.g. the nearest classroom.

"If it is not safe to move inside, find the nearest and safest place away from the incident."

The advice continues: "It might be necessary to seek an alternative exit to the school site.

"Use 'Run, Hide, Tell' depending on the severity of the incident."

Classroom doors will be locked or blocked where possible and pupils will be told to stay away from the windows and to not use mobile phones.

The email said the drill could be called for "numerous scenarios" including extreme weather conditions or an intruder at the school.

One parent who didn't wish to be named told Daily Post: "When my child said this was happening, I was a bit shocked as I thought drills like this only happened in America because of the shootings in schools.

"I suppose it's good to have a plan, but I also hope the drill doesn't traumatise any of the younger ones."

Ysgol Eirias was approached for a comment.

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said it does not hold information on individual schools' arrangements, however it said it was good practice to review such plans regularly.