“Every little thing counts in a crisis.” Jawaharlal Nehru

Dealing with the sudden death of a student – A Case Study

James Heale, Deputy Headteacher, Sandringham School

HERTFORDSHIRE HEADTEACHERS’ PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCESafeguarding and Schools

Tuesday 15th June 2010

The aim of this seminar is to: • Develop an understanding of how your school might deal with the sudden

death of a student(s), the immediate aftermath and the longer term effects By the end of this seminar Headteachers will be able to:• Reflect on current practice in their school• Identify key staff and external agency links that they can call upon in a ‘crisis

situation’• A greater understanding of the help that is out there when dealing with the

sudden death of a student• Take away examples of letters to parents, communications with staff and the

media

The seminar will include:• A case study from Sandringham School and shared experiences• A practical ‘hands-on’ approach to help you reflect on how you and your

staff would react in such a situation• An opportunity to draw up an ‘action plan’ to prepare for the unthinkable• The chance to learn from a school about what went well and lessons

learnt• An opportunity to ask questions

• Case study• What would you do?• What did we do?• Questions

Our experienceTues 28th April 2009 – 2.45pm• Call put through to the Deputy Headteacher. Notified by the

police of critical incident involving a Yr 10 student• Headteacher out of school

Next steps

• Immediate response• Next 12 hrs• Next 24hrs

Our experienceWednesday 29th April 2009 • Life support turned off

Our experienceThurs 30th April – 9am • Headteacher notified by police of a second critical incident

involving a Year 10 girl

Next steps

• Immediate response• Next 12 hrs• Next 24hrs• The 7 days

What went well?• Regular communication

– Staff, students, parents, the press, local schools• Honesty• One source of information• Accept help

– MAPS, External agencies, community, Police• Clear points of focus• Crisis HQ• County Press office

Lessons learned • Be prepared for the school to be the focus /hub• Contact the parents of the bereaved early• Check and double check information• More bodies in the student area on day 1• Tighter control over where students are

What are we now doing differently?• Strategy meetings• Vulnerable students’ log• Clear bereavement procedures• Identified person responsible for bereavement work