Ways to Improve School Safety

When parents send their children to school, they want to be sure that they are in a safe, nurturing environment where they are cared for and supported. Schools have a duty of care to protect their students and staff against violence, vandalism, theft and other criminal activity, and must have the necessary measures in place to demonstrate suitable safeguarding as per Ofsted guidance. 

With many different security options available for schools, this article will help you navigate your way through so you can find the most suitable school security solution.

1. Visitor management / access control

Gone are the days of manually locking and unlocking doors throughout a school using a big bunch of caretaker keys, or using a log book at reception for visitors to sign in. Advances in technology have meant that access control systems put a stop to any unauthorised entry into buildings, with Ofsted inspectors expecting to see an ID system to differentiate between approved and unapproved visitors.

Access control systems show who is coming and going from the premises at any given time so there is a record of any visitors wanting to gain access to the school. These systems include – but are not limited to – the following:

– Access cards

– ID cards

– Basic intercom systems

– Biometric readers

2. Internal CCTV 

Sophisticated surveillance and CCTV systems enable schools to monitor exactly who is entering and leaving the premises. If unlawful activity occurs outside school hours, recorded CCTV footage is proven to help identify the offender and can be used as police evidence. 

3. External CCTV 

There is also the added benefit of helping to tackle truancy by recording any students leaving the grounds during lesson time.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) has been utilised by many schools as a safety measure to capture any dangerous driving on or around the school premises and identify the perpetrators. It can also be used to check if a vehicle is unregistered or unlicensed to flag any suspicious or illegal activity. 

4. Gates and barriers

Security gates and barriers are a highly effective way of protecting school premises, as they restrict vehicle access and deter intruders from entering the grounds. 

Does your school already have gates in place that need upgrading to include automation?

Or perhaps you need to have your entire fencing replaced with modern security gates and vehicle barriers?

Whatever you require, there are plenty of options available so that your school, students and staff members are kept safe. CCTV and door entry intercom systems can even be integrated into the gates and barriers so you can have complete control over who is on the premises.

If you are looking to update the security measures at your school premises over the summer holidays, look no further than Astra Security. We provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the individual needs of your school premises, including access control, CCTV, ANPR, gates and barriers, and much more! Contact us to discuss your requirements and make your school safer today.