Security
One of the greatest challenges for any education establishment is balancing the need to create an open and stimulating environment that encourages learning, whilst ensuring that people and equipment are protected from security threats
As in any public institution, security should feature as a priority. One of the greatest challenges for any education establishment is balancing the need to create an open and stimulating environment that encourages learning, whilst ensuring that the people and equipment within feel comfortable and are protected from security threats no matter the size of the campus or the number of pupils and staff. All establishments present specific challenges from a security perspective and the educational sector is no different. Examples of security incidents revolve around bullying, petty theft, abuse and vandalism. But sometimes the threats can be more serious – extending to arson, theft, serious incidents involving a weapon, cyber-attacks and criminal damage. The gov.uk website stresses the importance of having a security policy in schools which complement the safeguarding policies relating to the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff. A good security policy helps both students and staff to be vigilant about their own and the safety and security of others and demonstrate knowledge of issues which could affect them. These should reflect a realistic assessment of the threats relevant to the school or college and can be drawn on experiences or statistics provided by trusted sources. As the voice of the professional security industry, we encourage and support excellence in the industry and our members demonstrate quality and professionalism.
When approached to write about perimeter security in schools, we thought it best to ask our members who have first-hand experience and chose four key areas: CCTV or video surveillance, perimeter security systems, biometrics and access control.
Written by The British Security Industry Association (BSIA)
School security – going beyond duty of care
educational institutions aren’t getting the most out of their investment. Using CCTV with teachers’ consent could help with staff training, and with identifying and deterring truants. Looking to video analytics could improve on-site safety, by creating better flow systems for fire safety and evacuation procedures, or by identifying large groups and alerting staff to potential safety hazards.”
CCTV “The rise of facial recognition has given CCTV a bad name, but its impact on security and Perimeter Security safety remains second to none. In schools, The first and most important step to this is particularly important – to school security is to conduct a secure the premises and the thorough site security survey, students and staff within CCTV c an believes Ashley Smith from it, and as a deterrent be used to mon Tensor. This security audit for potential criminal itor behavio will highlight any existing activity,” comments Tim ur on a to provid site, vulnerabilities, but also Raynor from Johnson e a dete help determine whether Controls UK&I. against rrent violent a there are any existing “CCTV can be used ttacks and help systems in place that can to monitor behaviour p be taken over in order to on a site, to provide those re rosecute sponsib reduce deployment costs. a deterrent against necessa le if Ashley said: “We also violent attacks and help ry. look at possible integrations prosecute those responsible that would further benefit the if necessary. As schools school. We have platforms which increase the amount of high-value can integrate with existing fire & intruder technology on site, the potential for alarms, as well as bespoke software plugins to theft grows. With school budgets ever under allow schools to easily monitor and manage strain, a CCTV investment is a major deterrent staff & student attendance and access rights. for potential thieves. The same applies for Our security solutions can also streamline vandalism, especially since most schools emergency evacuations by automatically no longer have a caretaker on site 24/7 – a adding on removing them from the fire roll call remote monitoring centre can do the same job. as they arrive or leave the site. We favour an “But the opportunities presented by integrated approach to Perimeter Security. E CCTV go far beyond security – and many Issue 25.1 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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