Crisis Planning That Holds Under Pressure

Emergencies can happen without warning and international schools often face added complexity due to varying cultural expectations and legal requirements. Having a clear, well structured crisis management plan that is easy to access protecting students, staff and the wider school community. It also plays a key role in managing the school’s reputation during and after a crisis. In high pressure moments, you can only do your best and your best begins well before the crisis hits, with thoughtful preparation, planning and training.

What Is a Crisis Management Plan?

A crisis management plan is a written guide that outlines how a school will respond to emergencies. These can include natural disasters, accidents, medical emergencies, security threats or even disruptions like major IT failures.  The goal is to minimize harm, maintain order, protect the school’s reputation and support a strong, timely recovery.

Key Elements of a Strong Plan

1. Risk Assessment

   Begin by identifying the specific risks your school may face. Factors like location, infrastructure, and demographics will shape what kinds of emergencies are most likely and what responses are needed.

2. Crisis Management Team

   Designate a trained group responsible for managing emergencies. Everyone must know their role clearly and be able to act quickly. Make sure you have everyone’s agreement and document the roles and responsibilities. 

3. Step-by-Step Response Procedures

   For each type of emergency, your plan should include specific actions, including evacuation steps, lockdown protocols, medical procedures, and communication guidelines. Clear instructions improve confidence and reduce response time. It is a relief to be able to fall back on these procedures when a crisis does hit. 

4. Communication Strategy

   Clear, timely communication is vital in any crisis. Use appropriate channels for your message (SMS, email, social media, internal platforms). Ensure messages are accessible and culturally appropriate. Educate your community in advance on how communication will work in the event of a crisis. If media contact is expected, appoint a single spokesperson. 

5. Training and Drills

   Plans are only effective if people know how to use them. Run regular training sessions and drills so that staff, especially new hires and substitutes, are prepared and confident.

6. Post Crisis Support and Review

   After a crisis, ensure ongoing support is available for those affected. You may need to provide support for an extended period of time. Conduct a review to learn what worked, what didn’t, and update the plan accordingly. This ensures real world insights are captured and acted on.

   
   

Accessibility Matters

Your crisis plan should be simple to follow and easy to find. All staff should know exactly where to access it, whether it is stored digitally, printed in key locations or accessible via a mobile platform. The usual advice about a Single Point of Truth (SPOT) applies here. In emergencies, speed and clarity matter most. Ensure orientation programmes for new staff include reference to the document. 

Make It a Living Document

Because schools evolve and threats do too, your crisis plan must evolve with your school. Schedule reviews annually or after significant changes to operations or local conditions. Assign someone ownership of the document so updates don’t fall through the cracks.

Keep it practical, user friendly and adaptable. This is not just a document, it is a living tool.

Cultural Sensitivity in Crisis Response

Crises are always challenging but culture shapes how they're understood and managed. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Responses must be culturally sensitive and compassionate. Supporting teams to develop cultural awareness is key to meeting the unique needs of your community.

Protecting Reputation Through Preparedness

Managing a school’s reputation during and after a crisis is as important as the immediate response. A solid plan ensures clear, timely and calm communication with all stakeholders. Handling a crisis professionally and compassionately reassures families and builds trust. Trust isn’t built in the same way in Asia as it is in the Middle East, or the same in the US, as it is in Africa so again, use the local team. Follow up communication, along with visible care and accountability, reinforces the school’s commitment to safety and wellbeing, helping maintain long-term credibility.

Readiness Is the Fix

The best crisis response starts long before a crisis begins. Preparation, planning and training creates a culture of readiness. In international schools, where location and diversity can add complexity, a clear, accessible crisis plan is essential. It protects people, minimises confusion, supports coordination and builds trust. The fix lies in being proactive, not reactive.

Resources

Click here for a downloadable Crisis Management Check List

Reach out to Sarah Elliott one of our contributors if you need help with your Crisis Plan.