If you are looking for ways to improve school security, this article offers six quickfire tips on ways to protect pupils, staff, property and enhance all-around safety. Keeping pupils safe and secure is a key responsibility for a school. Furthermore, schools use security systems to keep teachers safe in their working environment.
Schools often operate within tight budgets.
When reviewing security at a school, many head teachers, IT managers and governors will often pose themselves this question:
“How can we improve school security affordably?”
Table of contents
- Schools deal with a range of security threats on an ongoing basis
- How to improve school security affordably
- External school CCTV: Monitoring school playgrounds and car parks
- Examples from the media of vandalism in schools:
- Internal CCTV: monitoring classrooms and corridors
- Examples from the media of violence and anti-social behaviour in schools:
- School access control and door entry systems: Keeping a log of who is in, and out of the building
- Developing a security checklist
- Related reading:
- Security guards or remote CCTV monitoring – which is more affordable?
- Talks and seminars to help students and teachers keep security front of mind
- Looking for more security-related articles?
Schools deal with a range of security threats on an ongoing basis
These include:
- Vandalism – smashed windows, damage to playground equipment and vehicles
- Burglary – thieves often target schools for expensive IT equipment such as laptops, tablets and more
- Anti-social behaviour & violence – drug dealing, knives and abusive behaviour
- Abuse and harassment – this can affect pupils and staff
Related reading: School Security Threats & Risks. 6 Examples of Crime in Schools
How to improve school security affordably
There are a range of security systems and solutions for schools. Each offers a different set of benefits and meets specific objectives.
The six affordable ways to improve school security we discuss in this article are:
1. External CCTV: Monitoring playgrounds and car parks
2. Internal CCTV: Monitoring classrooms and corridors
3. Access control systems: Keeping a log of who is in and out of the building
4. Developing a security checklist: Keeping on top of security
5. Security Guards or remote CCTV monitoring: Which is more affordable?
6. Talks and seminars to help students and teachers keep security front of mind
Let’s begin.
External school CCTV: Monitoring school playgrounds and car parks
External CCTV systems can help deter fights from breaking out in the playground. If students know they are under surveillance, this could reduce the risk of this occuring.
In the event of more serious violence, or drug dealing taking place, your school CCTV system will capture any footage required as evidence.
CCTV cameras systems can also monitor the school’s car parks for incidents of vandalism. If a vandal damages a teacher’s or visitor’s vehicle, the security cameras will pick them up.
Furthermore, playgrounds need protection from vandalism. Modern playgrounds cost a fair amount, so a deterrent like CCTV would be a wise investment.
Additionally, ANPR CCTV cameras can track and store the number plates of known sex offenders or drug dealers. If the camera picks up the number plate, a designated member of staff can be alerted.
Examples from the media of vandalism in schools:
Swastika and ‘KKK’ drawn on vandalised Bordon primary school play area.
Internal CCTV: monitoring classrooms and corridors
Over the past decade incidents of teachers being attacked at schools has risen dramatically.
Sexualised insults are more and more common.
This is all in addition to the age-old, ongoing issues with bullying and pupils fighting.
Well placed, internal school CCTV systems can help to address these threats.
Examples from the media of violence and anti-social behaviour in schools:
Violence and abuse of teachers ‘becoming normalised’
School abuse: Teachers face sexualised insults in class, says union
Looking for a CCTV system for your school?
Talk to an expert today about your CCTV system options.
School access control and door entry systems: Keeping a log of who is in, and out of the building
School security has two main objectives; pupil and teacher safety.
Managing the flow of staff, pupils and visitors can be a challenge. Particularly, when a school has multiple car parks, a large perimeter and entrances.
Key fob door entry systems can be deployed to only grant access to students, teachers and known visitors. Attendance can be tracked for health and safety purposes. This data gives school admins the peace of mind they know who is in and out of the building. It also provides a fire list, in the event of a fire drill or evacuation.
Key fob door entry systems can also be programmed to restrict access to certain parts of a building or site. Staff rooms, science cupboards and IT stores can be set as ‘off-limits’
Video intercoms can grant or deny access to visitors. Intercoms provide an additional, visual layer of security to schools.
Useful guide: Controlling access to school premises
Interested in access control for your school?
Key fob door entry, video and audio intercom options for schools
Developing a security checklist
To help schools stay on top of security, developing a daily, weekly, or end of term security checklist is a sensible thing to do.
Making sure all windows are locked, alarms primed and equipment stored away overnight are just some of the daily checks a school can make.
At the end of term, a more thorough sweep of the premises and site would be required.
Security checklists help keep premises safe and give those in charge of security peace of mind.
Related reading:
Here are a couple of useful links to help you develop your own school security checklist.
Safeguard Systems’ business security checklist
Security guards or remote CCTV monitoring – which is more affordable?
As mentioned earlier in the article, one of the key questions teachers will ask themselves is “how can we improve school security affordably?”
Schools are left largely unattended overnight and during holidays.
Security guards are an option. However, they are an expensive option as they command a salary whilst they watch the CCTV screens and patrol the site at relatively regular intervals.
An affordable school security option would be CCTV monitoring. Simply put, cameras and sensors replace guards. Off site teams view your footage if a sensor is triggered and the authorities are contacted if there is a security threat in progress.
Is this better than employing security guides?
If you are looking to save money – yes. CCTV monitoring can save you up to 80% against the costs of a physical guard.
Interested to find out more?
CCTV monitoring costs and savings.
Talks and seminars to help students and teachers keep security front of mind
Have you considered inviting The Police or a security company into the school to provide some education?
Local Police officers can keep staff and pupils updated on local issues around drug dealing and ASB.
Furthermore, local security companies could provide interesting insights and tips on improving overall security.
Looking for more security-related articles?
If you are keen to learn more about different security systems, head over to our social media pages or read one of our latest articles below.