New all Wales resources to support current guidance for schools to deal with incidents of weapons in schools and education settings are being developed.
An action from the National Behaviour Summit in 2025, the all Wales approach will build on the guidance Cardiff Council launched in autumn 2025 to provide simple and practical advice to Cardiff schools.
Cardiff Council will lead work with local authorities and partners to develop a consistent approach for schools across Wales to manage incidents where children take weapons onto school premises, or are reasonably suspected of being in possession of a weapon on school premises.
The work will include engagement with partners right across Wales and consider best practice and the latest evidence, engaging with young people families and communities throughout the process.
Based on the principles of Cardiff’s Weapons in Schools and Education Settings (WISES) protocol, the working group will develop an adaptable set of resources to guide schools and local authorities across Wales.
The new resources will support the Welsh Governments existing; safe and effective intervention: use of reasonable force and searching for weapons guidance, which sets out how schools in Wales can search pupils suspected of carrying a weapon.
The new resources aim to ensure a robust, consistent, fair and trauma informed approach; to promote understanding of legal requirements, and to provide safeguarding and support to all staff and learners, including those learners found in possession of a weapon.
The Cardiff Council WISES guidance was co-produced with a wide range of partners, including South Wales Police, governors, trade unions, youth services and violence prevention experts. With children and young people consulted.
Cardiff Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “The news that Welsh Government has chosen to adopt Cardiff’s guidance as the basis for a national roll-out is incredibly positive. This is a significant endorsement of the work we have developed with schools, partners and communities, and reflects the impact it is already having in helping to keep young people and school staff safe. The guidance has been recognised as national best practice – winning at the Wales Safer Communities Awards – and its adoption across Wales means even more schools will benefit from a clear, consistent and supportive approach. This is a proud moment for Cardiff and a positive step for children and young people across the country.”
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: “All learners, teachers and school staff have the right to a respectful and safe environment. National guidance is already clear that schools in Wales are able to screen any pupil suspected of carrying a weapon.
“This further all Wales ‘Weapons in Schools and Educational Settings’ resources will provide more clarity for schools, learners and families to ensure that schools are a safe place.
“One of the five immediate actions from the National Behaviour Summit was to ensure we were sharing best practices between schools both locally and nationally. The rollout of an all- Wales protocol builds on the good work already done by Cardiff, which has been widely welcomed by headteachers, school communities and families to give a consistent approach across Wales. This work will be supported by up £300,000 in funding over the next 12 months, with a view to making the resources fully available across Wales in 2027.
“The new resources will help schools to work closely with families and other services so that the right support can be put in place, whilst ensuring safety for staff and learners.”
Responding to new guidance being issued to Welsh schools on dealing with incidents on pupils bringing weapons onto the premises, Laura Doel, national secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said:
“Schools take their responsibility for ensuring the safety of all pupils and staff incredibly seriously, and weapons should have no place in our schools or wider communities.
“While incidents in school are incredibly rare, clearer guidance and a consistent approach on what schools should do if they suspect a pupil may be carrying a weapon is welcome.
“However, this is only one piece of the jigsaw, and there needs to be recognition that schools are trying to deal with the symptoms of social issues often beyond their control, and that prevention is better than cure.
“As well as ensuring there is a comprehensive response – including support for schools and children in instances where weapons are found – significantly more resources are also needed to tackle the root causes and ensure families and children consistently receive early help before risks spiral.
“That must start with the Welsh Government providing the investment needed to address reductions in both community support, including children’s social care and youth work, and support in school, from pastoral care to preventative police programmes.”
