Walkie Talkies for Teachers: A Fast, Effective School Emergency Tool

Updated June 2025
In an emergency, every second counts. Whether it’s a safeguarding issue, a medical emergency, or a potential lockdown situation, walkie talkies for teachers provide instant, site-wide communication—without relying on runners, landlines, or mobile signals.

This article will take around three minutes to read- roughly the same amount of time it could take a teacher to raise the alarm, coordinate a response, and secure vulnerable areas with the right communication tools in place.

In a school lockdown facilitated with walkie talkies for schools, the secretary, caretaker, and key members of staff respond in a pre-arranged pattern to minimise the risk to the children in your care.

Why Every School Should Equip Teachers with Walkie Talkies

School sites are often large and complex. When an incident occurs at one end of the building, or even in a different block, response times are critical. Sending a staff member physically to raise the alarm can take more than a minute per 100 metres travelled. In the meantime, the situation may escalate.

Walkie talkies for teachers enable communication at the push of a button, reaching caretakers, reception staff, senior leaders, and safeguarding teams instantly. They’re also easy to use, even under stress.

Lockdowns, Medical Alerts, and Day-to-Day Benefits

Two way radios aren’t just for extreme scenarios, they’re practical daily tools that support:

• Lockdown procedures

• Medical emergencies

• Fire drills and evacuations

• Playground duty and break time

• School trips and off-site visits

• Large school events and parent evenings

The radios can be used silently with earpieces to avoid alarming students. Many models also include emergency alert buttons, allowing staff to raise an alert even if they can’t speak.

Using Coded Language for Emergency Communication

In sensitive situations, such as a lockdown, it’s essential not to create panic. That’s why schools often use pre-arranged code phrases over the radio system. For example:

“Please remind your classes that the sign-up sheet for Swahili lessons is in reception.”
In this phrase:

• “Swahili” might be the code word for lockdown

• “Reception” might indicate the location of the threat

All staff are trained to understand and respond accordingly, quietly initiating classroom lockdown procedures without alerting students or intruders.

This technique is widely used in banks, retail environments and emergency services and is recommended for schools using walkie talkies as part of their emergency protocols.

Choosing the Right Walkie Talkies for Schools

At Digitall Comms, we supply a wide range of walkie talkies for teachers, from simple push-to-talk models to advanced radios with panic buttons and integration with school alarm systems.

We’ll help you choose radios that are:

• Suitable for your site layout and range requirements

• Easy for staff to use

• Durable enough for daily school life

• Equipped with accessories like belt clips and earpieces

You can also take advantage of our flexible hire options, ideal for:

• Short-term use during exams or school trips

• Full-term or academic year hire for daily operations

• Try-before-you-buy schemes with free demos available

Support from School Communication Experts

With over 30 years’ experience supporting the education sector, Digitall Comms understands the unique challenges schools face. Our team can guide you through choosing the right equipment, implementing protocols, and training your staff.

• 30-day payment terms for state-funded schools
• Nationwide delivery and support
• Free trials and demos available

Need Help Choosing Radios for Your School?

Call our expert team on 0330 088 7008 or head to our Radio for Schools & Education page.