School Accommodation and the Storage of Firearms

Our thoughts and best wishes are with all those affected, and we add our grateful thanks to those who have since stepped in to help them.

It is always appropriate to consider risks afresh following such events, and understand what measures are currently in place, whether these are appropriate or whether more can be done to manage them.

In this context, it may be helpful for schools to understand something of the civilian licensing regime for firearms. This Home Office Guide is a useful resource in this context. We consider that it is helpful for schools to ask:

• Are privately-held firearms and/or other weapons (such as ceremonial or fencing swords) identified on the school's risk register? If so, when was this last reviewed and/or updated? If they are not currently identified, should they be?

• Do staff, or any other resident occupiers keep their firearms or other weapons on site? Should they need to have the School's permission to do so? Is this information regularly updated so that the number of privately-held firearms or other weapons on site at any time can be identified?

• Do occupiers need to notify the School of any changes to their firearm or shot gun certificates?

• If firearms are permitted, are they for school-arranged activities or for personal use?

• In addition to legal storage requirements, are there any School specific restrictions on where firearms or other weapons can be stored and accessed? Are some buildings on site more appropriate than others and does the School have the right to inspect these at any time?

As the owner of accommodation, Schools will be able to determine and set out rules around storing firearms or other weapons in their accommodation whether it is on or off site. The approach that different schools take will be a matter for them, having considered the questions above and undertaken a risk assessment.

If schools decide to review and change their approach then consideration will need to be given to how this is communicated and managed.

We would recommend that schools review their documentation for those occupying school accommodation and consider whether any service occupancy agreements , licences or tenancy documents need to be updated. In addition schools may want to consider whether it is helpful to adopt a set of guidance or a Housing Policy which needs to be adhered to by all adults occupying school accommodation, which can set out any requirements and expectations on those in school accommodation and can be updated from time to time as appropriate.

For further advice on school accommodation and the storage of firearms, please contact Sarah Outram in our Education team on 0117 314 5253, or complete the form below.