Our children deserve to feel safe at school. Our teachers deserve to feel protected at work. And parents deserve the reassurance that everything possible is being done to keep them safe.

Following recent threats involving Scottish schools, parents and families are understandably frightened, concerned and asking serious questions about the security measures currently in place.

Every morning, thousands of parents across Scotland wave goodbye to their children, trusting that they are entering a safe and secure environment.

That trust should never be taken for granted.

Schools should be places of learning, laughter, friendship and opportunity - not places where children, parents or staff are left wondering what might happen if someone with harmful intentions gains access to the building.

Recent threats involving Scottish schools have highlighted the urgent need to review existing security arrangements. Regardless of whether a threat is ultimately deemed credible, every school should have robust preventative measures and clear emergency procedures in place.

The time to identify weaknesses in school security is now - not after a serious incident has occurred.

All schools should have an established partnership with local law enforcement, to ensure a rapid response in case of incidents.

These measures are not just reactive but should be geared towards prevention.

We cannot continue to rely on the assumption that something terrible will never happen.

We should not have to wait for a tragedy before taking action.

WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR
We are urging the Scottish Government, local authorities and Education Scotland to work together to introduce consistent, strengthened security standards across ALL Scottish schools.

We are calling for:

1. Stronger School Entry Security

All schools should have robust, controlled entry systems to prevent unauthorised individuals from gaining access. This should include secure entrances, appropriate visitor identification procedures and regular reviews of access points.

2. Mandatory Emergency Response Training for Staff

All school staff should receive appropriate, regularly updated training on how to respond to serious security threats, including unauthorised intruders, violent incidents and emergency situations.

Staff should never be left trying to work out what to do in the middle of a crisis.

3. Age-Appropriate Emergency Safety Drills

Just as schools prepare for fires, they should have clear, practised procedures for responding to dangerous intruders or other serious threats.

These exercises must be carefully designed to avoid frightening or traumatising children, particularly younger pupils and those with additional support needs.

4. Clear Emergency Communication Procedures

Parents deserve timely, accurate information when credible threats arise. Every school should have a clear communication plan explaining how families will be notified, what actions are being taken and how children will be protected.

5. Regular Independent Security Assessments

School security should be reviewed regularly to identify weaknesses before they become opportunities for harm. Any identified risks should be addressed promptly, with appropriate funding and accountability.

6. Dedicated Funding for School Safety

We recognise that improving security comes at a financial cost.

However, the safety of our children should never come down to whether there is enough money left in a school budget.

We are calling for dedicated government and local authority funding, with opportunities for voluntary community fundraising where appropriate.

Parents who are willing and able to contribute should have the opportunity to support improvements, but no child's safety should depend on their family's ability to pay.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT CREATING FEAR. IT IS ABOUT PREVENTING HARM.

Nobody wants children attending schools that feel like prisons.

We want welcoming, nurturing schools where sensible security measures operate quietly and effectively in the background.

We want teachers equipped with the knowledge and confidence to act.

We want children to know that the adults responsible for their care have clear plans in place to protect them.

And we want parents to know that when they hand their children over at the school gates, their safety is being treated as an absolute priority.

Prevention is better than reaction. Preparation is better than panic. And action today is better than regret tomorrow.

OUR MESSAGE TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Please do not wait until the unthinkable happens.

Review school security across Scotland. Establish minimum national standards. Provide the necessary resources. Train our school staff. Prepare our schools.

And give every family the reassurance that protecting children is not simply a promise - it is a priority backed by meaningful action.

Every child matters. Every school matters. Every life matters.

SIGN THIS PETITION

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, school employee or simply someone who believes children deserve to be safe, we need your support.

Sign and share this petition. Help us demand stronger security in Scottish schools BEFORE a tragedy forces change.

Our children cannot advocate for these protections alone.

We must be their voice.