Dear parent/ guardian
I am writing to let you know that, in line with statutory guidance, Cathays High School will be carrying out our Emergency Lockdown Drill on Thursday 15th October 2026 at 10.15am. The drill will involve us alerting staff pupils and visitors to an emergency lockdown so that they can simulate the actions to keep themselves and others as safe as possible in the event of a real-life incident. This will be the fourth year that we have carried out the lockdown drill, and it has taken place very smoothly and without incident in previous years.
However, we are aware that some young people may find this upsetting although this has not been the case previously. We will be informing pupils of the lockdown drill in advance of it taking place and reminding them of the actions they need to take and the mature and sensible behaviour we expect from them to enable it to be successful. Hopefully, providing advanced warning, a chance to ask questions and to discuss it with teachers and peers will help to alleviate any concerns they may have. We will also make pupils aware of colleagues in school they can go to if they are worried before, or after, the emergency lockdown drill has taken place.
Just over a week ago we carried out our Fire Drill, and pupils responded very positively to that even though for many young people it was their first experience of a fire drill in Cathays High. We were very pleased with the maturity and positive behaviour of our students, and I am sure they will approach this emergency lockdown drill with similar excellent behaviour. Please contact your child’s Inclusion and Wellbeing Leader or Head of Year should you have any questions about the Emergency Lockdown Drill. We would be very grateful for your assistance in allaying any anxieties your child may express to you about the procedure and encouraging them to participate sensibly in the process.
Kind regards
Stuart Davies
(Headteacher)