Security is key for educational establishments. In this article Jo Makosinski looks at the challenges and the solutions available to address them

Educational institutions, from primary schools to prestigious universities, are treasured environments for learning and growth.

On the other hand, they are also vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour and, as such, security is a key priority for estates managers and those in charge of security.

Peter Jackson, managing director of Jacksons Fencing, explains “Educational settings face a variety of security risks which must be carefully managed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and property.

“Unauthorised access and trespassing are primary concerns, with intruders or unauthorised personnel posing significant threats once they breach school premises.

“Burglary, vandalism, and theft also endanger property and valuable equipment.

“Furthermore, inappropriate contact with the public, particularly in areas where students are near public footpaths, raises significant privacy issues and can cause upset and disruption to pupils.”

Pro-active security measures vary from site to site, but primarily fall into three categories – CCTV surveillance, access control, and observation/warning systems.

Chris Clifton of Safeguard Systems said: “Where unauthorised access is an issue for schools, we would typically see the installation of intercom systems and door or gate controls at key entry points or in reception areas.

“To protect sensitive areas, and to manage staff access in and around the school, we would deploy key fob or keypad door entry systems.” 

Access control

The main types of access control systems for schools are:

• Key fob and car door entry systems: For receptions, the school gate, and internal access
• Video and audio intercoms: In reception, at the school gate, and internal access points
• ANPR cameras: At the school gate and external entry points
• Keypad access: For restricted areas and car parks

The second area schools must consider is detecting and dealing with external and internal threats.

As mentioned above, CCTV surveillance and observation and warning solutions, such as lookdown systems, cover this area of security.

Clifton said: “There are lots of threats facing schools, in some areas more than others, such as inner city schools.

“If a school thinks an intruder might be carrying a weapon, such as a knife, lock-down systems are an effective solution.

“Lock-down systems are linked to the main access control systems and staff can sound an alarm, and lock all exertional doors for the school. Furthermore, a siren will act as a means to deter the intruder from carrying out any attack.”

“There is also a growing issue with children assaulting teachers. Teachers do not go to work to get attacked by children, so while having CCTV cameras in classrooms may feel like a breach of privacy, they are critical as both a deterrent and to gather evidence in the event of an issue.”

A growing threat

In fact, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union in 2023, 13% of teachers said they had been physically assaulted by a pupil and 48% said they do not feel that their school’s behaviour policy is effective and fit for purpose.

With this in mind, CCTV cameras are becoming increasingly commonplace in schools to deter attacks on staff or pupils or other criminal behaviour.

And this has sparked controversy as cameras are placed in areas such as toilets and changing rooms.

Clifton said: “I think there’s a balance between physical privacy that any child should have and has a right to have – if you are spending a penny, you don’t want to think someone is watching you – but also it is important to deter and gather evidence of any bullying or illegal activity, which is a particular problem in these more-private areas.

“I would like to think that any parent who puts their child’s physical and mental safety at the forefront would not have an issue with a discreetly-placed camera covering areas of a toilet where people’s physical privacy is not being compromised.

“The reality is also that in some schools, 13 and 14 year olds, some even younger, are taking hard drugs and educational establishments need to use security solutions to help address and deter this.”

Choose wisely

When specifying CCTV cameras for education settings, there are a number of different systems to consider. These include:

• CCTV monitoring: CCTV monitoring, also known as monitored CCTV is a robust, cost-effective form of security. It works by fitting security cameras with sensors. When triggered, an alarm is raised and an offsite security team will receive this alert. They then review the footage and, if they detect a security threat, the right authorities will deal with it. This is the perfect solution for schools who may be targeted by criminals outside of school hours or during holidays
• Internal and external IP CCTV cameras: These offer high-resolution, scalable security solutions that help deal with a range of threats. IP CCTV systems, otherwise known as network security camera systems, are suitable for internal and external school surveillance
• Perimeter surveillance: Perimeter CCTV systems help schools to protect their site from external threats. Intruders and thieves will often scour a perimeter for vulnerabilities. Additionally, gaps in fencing and easily-scalable walls supply easy access to criminals. These advanced CCTV surveillance systems help protect a school’s perimeter and can seamlessly be deployed within a remotely-monitored security system
• ANPR CCTV: Vehicle number plate tracking systems can be used as a form of access control as well as detecting known suspicious vehicles. ANPR CCTV camera systems can also be used to spot cars exceeding the speed limit in the car park. Worse still, sex offenders often patrol in and around the school gates and if any of concern are spotted, the car registration can be stored in a database. When spotted, an alert can then be raised for the school’s security team to deal with
• Thermal CCTV: These systems offer advanced intruder and threat detection. Thermal CCTV systems are effective after dark and can form part of a well-designed perimeter protection system. Thermal CCTV cameras systems can also be deployed internally to track the movements of intruders if they gain access to the building

Jackson said: “There are several key areas within education estates which require careful consideration to ensure comprehensive protection.

“The main perimeter, especially entrance gates, must be robust and centrally monitored to prevent weak spots. They must also be safe and not endanger pedestrians; so separate vehicular and pedestrian gates are key.

“Entry points and exits of school buildings need controlled access points with surveillance cameras, intercom systems, and secure locks to monitor and manage who enters and exits the premises.

“And areas where students are near the public, such as footpaths running past school playing fields, require privacy measures while storage compounds for bikes, air conditioning units, sports equipment, and servers need secure fencing to prevent theft and vandalism.

“Playgrounds and recreational areas must be safe and secure to protect students from intruders while allowing them to play freely and parking lots and drop-off zones require monitoring to ensure student safety during arrival and departure times and to prevent unauthorised vehicle access.”

Offering advice to specifiers, Clifton adds: “Schools are not dripping with money and they have finite budgets so they need to pinpoint what the threats are and the likelihood of these taking place balanced against the budget they have got available for security.

Expert advice

“It’s about having a clear idea of threats and objectives so it is important for a school to choose a security company that has a proven track record in dealing with, and working in, schools so that the system design process can be shorter.

“We recently surveyed a school site and managed to trim 20-30% from the cost of the system as during the survey we noticed they had a lot of security lights mounted on existing poles. As a result, we could fit cameras to them, thus negating the need for the school to invest in further specialist CCTV poles. Furthermore, the cameras were linked via wireless bridges, so we did not have to dig up the carpark to run cabling across the site.”

Clifton goes on to comment on the benefits of dealing with a specialist school security company.

“Dealing with a specialist school security company, and one that will come out and do a thorough site survey, is vital in ensuring the best-possible security system is fitted and one that is within budget. As experts in school security we understand the challenges faced, and can easily recommend appropriate systems.”

When specifying fencing, Jackson advises: “Choose a supplier and installer with experience, and always ask questions to gauge expertise.

“Privacy should be a key consideration from the start, to avoid the need for multiple installations of different types of fencing.

“Ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the site and addressing all potential issues, including noise reduction, is essential.

“Consider also the guarantee of the fencing; investing in high-quality solutions can prevent the need for future replacements.

“And new fencing should complement the style of the school and the surrounding area, maintaining a welcoming appearance.

“For high-risk schools, LPS 1175 fencing may be appropriate, rather than adding security toppings that can make the school look fortress-like.”

Regulatory reform

Jackson concludes: “The security needs of educational establishments have evolved significantly in recent years due to various factors.

“Increased awareness of security threats has led to more-pro-active measures and comprehensive security planning. And advancements in technology have introduced sophisticated security systems, such as smart surveillance, enhancing the ability to monitor and manage school security effectively.

“Changes in government regulations and standards have driven schools to adopt higher security protocols and ensure compliance with legal and safety requirements. For example, government guidelines have been updated to recommend that fencing should be at least 2m high, rather than the previous standard of 1.8m.

“Acoustic barriers are also now more commonly used for noise reduction and privacy due to expanding urban areas.”