Following learning from the Covid-19 pandemic and emergent threats such as the risk of cyber-attacks, the North Yorkshire Council Resilience and Emergencies Team have developed a reviewed Emergency Plan template for Education, Childcare and Children’s Social Care settings.
The Emergency Plan template pack is available to all schools and academies on CYPS Info and includes:
- An Emergency Plan template including specific scenario action cards and a range of useful Appendices;
- A number of planning documents including risk assessments and business continuity plan templates;
- Emergency Planning Guidance detailing how to complete the Emergency Plan template and general tips on preparing for emergencies;
- ‘Off-the-shelf’ training slides; and
- ‘Off-the-shelf’ table-top exercises to help test your plan.
It’ll never happen to us
Emergencies which can impact education settings are numerous and can range from severe weather events to utility outages and power cuts. Some of the worst disasters in UK history have directly impacted education settings including the Aberfan disaster in 1966, whereby a collapse of a colliery spoil tip engulfed a junior school, to the Dunblane massacre. And of course, in recent times, the Covid-19 pandemic which has led to monumental changes to education practices.
Benefits of Preparing for Emergencies
By preparing for an emergency your education setting will be better equipped to:
- identify possible emergencies and put measures in place to prevent them;
- continue the provision of education during an emergency;
- assist pupils and staff in recovering from an emergency;
- maintain or even increase the reputation of your establishment.
By having an Emergency Plan, your education setting should be better prepared to respond to emergencies; ensuring pupils and staff are supported and routines can be returned to as swiftly as possible.
For more information and further support in developing your Emergency Plan, please contact emergency@northyorks.gov.uk
Planning
Appendix B – Business Continuity Plan
Appendix C – Planning Schedule
Appendix D – Grab Bag Contents
Emergency Planning Guidance v2 2026
Training & Exercising
Tabletop Exercise – Flood Facilitator Notes
Tabletop Exercise – Food Poisoning
Tabletop Exercise – Food Poisoning Facilitator Notes
Tabletop Exercise – Full Lockdown
Tabletop Exercise – Full Lockdown Facilitator Notes
Tabletop Exercise – Intruder Facilitator Notes
Tabletop Exercise – IT Cyber Incident
Tabletop Exercise – IT Cyber Incident Facilitator Notes
Tabletop Exercise – Smoke Plume
Tabletop Exercise – Smoke Plume Facilitator Notes
Tabletop Exercise – Themepark Accident
Tabletop Exercise - Themepark Accident_Facilitator Notes.docx
Emergency Plan
Appendix E – Bomb Threats Checklist
Appendix F – Protection of Premises
Appendix H – Emergency Management Team Agenda
Appendix I – NYC Emergency Contacts Directory September 2026
Appendix J – CYC Emergency Contacts Directory September 2026
Education Setting Emergency Plan Template v2 2026
Review
