Calderside Academy

Security Concerns

Dear Parent/Carer

We are currently experiencing some issues with a small number of pupils who choose to wander through the school and who do not attend their classes.  In addition, on Friday we had a pupil from another school come in to the premises.  He was dealt with quickly and effectively by school staff.  As is always the case in such incidents we requested support from Police Scotland, who assisted in resolving the matter.

As a result of this and as part of our strategy to improve security further and reduce corridor wandering in school, the following actions will be implemented as of Wednesday 1 February:

Toilets

  • Pupils will no longer be able to access the main toilet blocks during class time. Any pupil requiring to go to the toilet during class time will make use of the allocated pupil toilets within each wing of the school. These are clearly marked as Pupil Toilets.
  • The main toilet blocks will be open for use as usual before registration, during morning interval, during lunchtime and at the end of the school day and will be supervised at these times.
  • Any pupil leaving their class to go to the toilet will be noted by the class teacher and issued with the class toilet pass card.
  • No more than 1 pupil will be released at a time from a class.

Grounds/Building Access

  • The school gates will only be open before registration, during lunch and at the end of the school day.
  • Only the front gate will be left open at all times for parent and pupil access.
  • External doors will lock a few minutes after the bell rings for the start of the school day and thereafter the only access to the building will be through the front door at the main office. Doors will be open at interval and lunchtime as usual.

There will be Assemblies for all year groups on Tuesday to notify pupils of the changes.

Please discuss these changes with your child.  If you have any questions or concerns, contact your child’s PT Pupil Support in the first instance.

We appreciate your support as we continue to improve the learning environment, opportunities and outcomes for our young people.

 

Skayne Dodds

Head Teacher