With the school holidays fast creeping up, it’s that time of year again where schools around the UK begin to consider their upgrades and renovations. With children out of the classrooms, this is the perfect time to take a handle on any repairs that might need to be taken care of. However, this is also a great opportunity for schools to review their security protocol and identify weak points in their strategy, creating an award-winning atmosphere that provides peace of mind to both staff and students. Let’s take a look at four concrete ways to improve school security this year.
Undertake a risk assessment
The first step for any organisation in developing a more secure environment is to figure out exactly where they are vulnerable and where they might be exposed. For instance, many businesses, and indeed schools, rely too heavily on CCTV cameras which can be easy to disable or avoid. They can identify a vehicle or a trespasser, but they do not prevent their entry, simply they monitor it.
A risk assessment will take a deep-dive analysis into the potential threats and then look at ways to mitigate that risk comprehensively. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach that often doesn’t quite cut it.
A risk assessment should be carried out by an experienced and qualified perimeter security company that understands the constraints, considerations, and overall nature of your business. The final result should be a set of suggestions that will protect your school from criminal activity and create a safe learning environment.
Guard against truancy with access control equipment
A common headache for schools lies with their safeguarding responsibilities, and how this can play into truancy. Ensuring students are safe within the walls of their school is pivotal, not only for the well-being of their students but also for the reputation of the establishment. One way that schools can guard against truancy and manage student traffic is through the use of access control equipment. Entry and exit points can be upgraded with tools like intercoms and readers to limit flow during school hours.
Manage parking problems with bollards
Schools up and down the country share a common problem when it comes to parking. Some parents ignore parking-free zones established by schools and pose a hazard to pedestrians. Bollards provide an effective solution in this scenario. Electric bollards can be raised when needed to limit access and lowered when
access is required for staff or contractors. Static bollards can be introduced in areas that require no vehicle access.
Use gates for 24hr safety
A strong security gate is one of the most formidable ways to deter crime. Gates have an important role to play during school hours, preventing both unwanted pedestrian and vehicular traffic. However, they are just as important in the evenings, and out of term time. Schools house expensive equipment and technology and are often not given the same level of security consideration as that of organisations in the private sector. Gates of proper build quality that are robust and maintained well will send out a message to opportunistic criminals that your school takes their security needs seriously.
With school budgets stretched, your school must get the best attention to detail. Here at Gateway Automation, we provide you with a free, no-obligation risk assessment, feasibility survey, and quotation process free of charge. This means you can be sure that you are spending your money only on areas where it can make the biggest impact.
For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please call us on 01522 682 255.
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