School children in France are to be given drills on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack, under new guidelines issued by the Government. Children as young as three will take part in three exercises, the first a simulation of an intruder into their school, Le Figaro has reported. Children will be given a signal by their teachers, upon which they are expected to climb under their desks and remain silent. The schools are expected to have carried out the first exercise by the time schools break for their next holiday, although some have already carried out one drill. The programme has provoked a mixed reaction from parents, some of whom criticised their school for not making the children safe enough. Alison, the mother of an eight-year-old girl said: “If there is an intrusion, I don’t think our children will be protected.” Cecile, whose daughter took part in the exercise earlier this week said: “I was shocked to learn that in our school the children were told to line up facing the windows, there was no attempt to hide them.” Others, such as Angie, mother to six-year-old Sasha, 6, welcomed the approach, saying: “It’s really sad that