Strategic Core

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DL

Minicom: (01603) 223833

Mr J Towns

SC/JT/CFR (01603) 222314

23^rd January 2002 01603-223838

jonathan.towns.edu@ norfolk.gov.uk

 Headteachers of all schools and

Teachers in charge of Referral Units

Dear Colleague

Information on School Keyholders

A recent serious fire at a school drew my attention to the fact there is no up to date information on school keyholders held by the Local Education Authority. This information is necessary to help in emergency situations and is particularly critical during school holiday periods. In order to try and ensure that the Education Authority can, at all times, respond positively to emergency situations I have asked that a database of keyholders be prepared. This information will be used in the case of emergencies and may be shared with colleagues in the County Emergency Planning Unit and with Norfolk Property Services. In addition it may be helpful to the Fire Brigade in cases of fire. Since the database will come under the Data Protection Act it is important that anyone who is a keyholder has read this letter and understands what use the information that they will provide will be put to.

I should be grateful if you would complete either the attached questionnaire or complete the questionaire on line via the Strategic Core section of the School Management Resources site - "Keyholders" available on Esinet.

 In order to ensure that the information is up to date a section of the Easinet website will enable schools to alter their list of keyholders at any time. As a back up I will be arranging for an annual updating exercise to be undertaken early in the autumn term of each school year. This will be designed to be able to be completed on line and to be as simple as possible to complete.

Finally I would like to thank you for your help in this matter.

Yours sincerely

B. Slater

Director of Education