A precautionary lockdown at Medina College sparked confusion and concern among parents on Tuesday morning after staff discovered two young individuals on the school grounds with no clear explanation for their presence. The incident, which unfolded shortly before 9.30am, prompted immediate safety protocols and automatic alerts to parents.

Families received urgent text messages and emails advising that both students and staff had been moved into lockdown as a security precaution. Within a short period, a follow-up message reassured parents that the situation had been brought under control and that normal lessons were resuming. However, despite the swift resolution, some families say they are increasingly uneasy as this is the latest in a series of lockdown events at the school.

Parents also expressed confusion after those with children at the Island VI Form—located over a mile away—received similar alerts, only to later learn that the lockdown had occurred solely at Medina College. The two institutions operate under the HISP Multi Academy Trust, which uses shared communication systems, leading to the mix-up.

School Leadership Responds

Medina College issued a statement confirming that staff acted promptly after spotting two unidentified young people on site. Their intentions were unknown, prompting an immediate precautionary lockdown in line with the school’s safeguarding protocols.

“The situation was managed swiftly and appropriately by school leadership,” a spokesperson said. “Parents and carers were informed as soon as the lockdown commenced and again immediately after it was lifted. We understand these incidents can cause distress, and we want to reassure our community that safety remains our top priority.”

The spokesperson added that the school is coordinating closely with external agencies to ensure robust safeguarding measures remain in place.

Trust CEO Backs Decision to Initiate Lockdown

Amanda Parry, CEO of the HISP Multi Academy Trust, confirmed that the lockdown was enacted after staff received a report of a possible security concern near the school site.

“In line with our safeguarding procedures, Medina College was placed into lockdown and all staff, students, and parents were informed,” she said. “We remain confident in the school’s processes and are working with all relevant agencies to ensure safety across our sites.”

A Growing Pattern of Incidents

This is the second lockdown at Medina College in just two weeks. A previous incident on November 21 involved two former pupils being reported on school grounds. Although police were notified at the time, officers did not attend. Several parents say this is not the only recent incident, and that multiple “lockdown situations” have occurred over the past few months.

The recurrence has raised questions among families about site security, visitor protocols, and the reliability of communication systems—particularly after the accidental alert sent to the Island VI Form community.

One parent described the experience as “unsettling,” explaining: “Even when it turns out to be nothing, you’re left wondering what’s going on and how many times this is going to happen.”

Calls for Clearer Communication and Stronger Measures

Parents have urged the trust to improve clarity around alerts to avoid future confusion and to offer explanations when non-emergency lockdowns occur. Several families said they only learned of the full context through community reports rather than official statements.

Despite concerns, the school continues to emphasise that lockdowns—while alarming—are executed to ensure the highest level of safety.

“We appreciate that lockdowns can cause concern,” the school reiterated. “But we want to assure families that we take every precaution necessary to protect our students and staff.”

FAQs

Why did Medina College go into lockdown?

Two young individuals were discovered on-site, and staff were unsure of their intentions, prompting a precautionary lockdown.

How long did the lockdown last?

The lockdown was short-lived, with the situation resolved quickly and parents informed once operations returned to normal.

Why were Island VI Form parents contacted by mistake?

Both sites share a communication system under the HISP Trust, which triggered alerts to both groups unintentionally.

Is this the first lockdown at Medina College?

No. This was the second reported lockdown in two weeks, with additional incidents mentioned by parents in recent months.

Did the police attend the scene?

For this most recent incident, police attendance was not mentioned. During the previous lockdown, officers were notified but did not attend.