Wanganui schools have been checking their emergency procedures after a hoax call to police led to a lockdown at Churton School two weeks ago.
Deputy principal of Wanganui Intermediate, Colin Withers, said the school was confident that it had good procedures in place.
"Fortunately, these things happen rarely and they are usually caused by someone who is disgruntled, but it does make us all think about whether we are prepared."
The hoax call, which claimed there was a gunman loose at Churton School, sparked an armed offenders squad callout, police roadblocks and saw children and teachers confined inside classrooms.
Carlton School prinipal Gaye O'Connor said the board of trustees had been thinking about their lockdown procedure before the Churton incident.
"Our administration block is free-standing, so there would be no communication between classrooms if we were in lockdown. The board of trustees did some fundraising and we now have phones in all the classrooms.
"We don't want to be alarmist about it. The children know to come inside if the bell rings and the teachers all know what to do."
Tawhero School practises its lockdown procedure about twice a year, deputy principal Frances Macartney said.
"If the kids are inside they have to sit on the floor out of the way of windows. They're told it's a lockdown happening or if it's a drill, they're told it's a drill."
Ms Macartney said all the external and internal doors were locked and someone would contact police.
Once the all-clear signal was given, students would be taken to the school hall for a roll check and briefings.
They were due for another drill soon, she said.
Wanganui Senior Sergeant Andrew McDonald said police were working with schools on their lockdown procedures.
He said all police staff had an understanding of the policy and "what to do in those circumstances".
"From our perspective and police training-wise, we do have quite a substantial policy around the shooters and the response required.
"A lot of us have children and it could have been a school any of us had children going to.
"It's quite an emotional experience when you get the call going to those things, knowing that young kids are involved."