School Security

CONTENTS

Page number / Subject
2 / Introduction
3 / The purpose of this document
3 / School security – the policy of the Council
3 / Security – the potential for inherent security problems
3 / (a) The location of the school
4 / (b) Site Manager / Caretaker accommodation
4 / (c) Natural surveillance of the school site
4 / (d) Community / neighbourhood support
4 / (e) The number of buildings on the school site
5 / (f) The use of the school site
5 / Security protection factors
5 / (a) Fencing – some general aspects
7 / (b) Gates – some general aspects
7 / (c) Weakest point of the site perimeter
8 / (d) Natural vegetation
9 / (e) External security lighting – some general aspects
11 / (f) The main entrance door to the school
12 / (g) Day-time exterior ‘traffic’ doors (except reception and kitchen areas) – day-time security
14 / (h) Designated external fire doors
14 / (i) External kitchen doors (day time security)
14 / (j) Window security
15 / (k) Flat roofs
15 / (l) Intruder alarm systems
16 / (m) A practical guide to CCTV video tape management
16 / (n) Visitor control
17 / (o) Key holders
18 / (p) Site inspections
19 / (q) Waste bin siting
19 / (r) Boiler and plant rooms
20 / Computer security
29 / Appendix 1 – A practical guide to CCTV video tape management
34 / Appendix 2 – CCTV – The legal framework
40 / Appendix 3 – The handling and transfer of cash to banks by employees, as related to education establishments
44 / Appendix 4 - Protocol for dealing with abuse, threats or violence from adults on education premises

SCHOOL SECURITY

1 Introduction

Schools are normally very safe places during the school day. However, from time to time incidents may occur that can have an adverse effect upon the school community, in terms of disruption, damage, theft, verbal abuse or violence.

Outside of normal working hours, schools can attract the unauthorised visitor, in terms of burglary, arson, vandalism and trespass.

A busy school with a high number of evening and weekend lettings could have as high a potential, or higher for the latter types of problem occurring compared with an isolated, rural school.

All School managers will need to regularly assess their schools awareness and practice in respect of security matters by carrying out a risk assessment in respect of both day-time and night-time security.

Such security risk assessments could be incorporated with the existing health and safety management systems at the school.

All security and other risk assessments should be recorded in writing, computer based records can be used, if wished, and any need for particular actions to be taken, being implemented.

It is important that once security measurements have been implemented, they are regularly monitored for effectiveness. Any measures that prove impractical or ineffective will need to be re-considered, re-assessed and modified as required.

It is important that the School Governing Body plays its part in monitoring security. Governors should recognise their duty to ensure the school site is safe and secure, particularly with regard to the health, safety and welfare of both staff and pupils. The Governing Body should ask the Headteacher to provide information on security, which may well be part of the remit of one of their committees. For multi-school sites it may be appropriate for a joint committee to have oversight of this issue.

Governors have a strategic role in ensuring funds are allocated for security works, and that security improvements are built into school development plans. In the wake of a number of high-profile incidents nationally, the Government has asked Governing Bodies to tell parents what they are doing to monitor and improve school security. A report on security should therefore be included in the Governors' annual report to parents.

This cycle of risk assessment, implementation, monitoring, re-assessment and the modification of systems / actions, as required, is the basis of any risk management programme. It can be applied, not only to security matters but to any health and safety matter where the risk element is deemed or has proven to be significant enough.

2 The purpose of this document

This document is intended to assist schools with the development of a School Security Policy or to modify their existing School Security Policy if this is appropriate.

It will outline aspects of security which should be considered in order that a ‘framework’ for security measures, both for day and night time, can be designed, implemented and subsequently monitored for effectiveness.

3 School security - the policy of the Council

Wokingham District Council will endeavour to ensure that;

(a) Good practical advice and information is given in respect of security matters;

(b) That Governors and Headteachers will arrange for security risk assessments to be carried out and reviewed at regular intervals;

4 Security - the potential for inherent security problems

Most schools have or will have experienced problems of security at some time. However, each school site, whether it has experienced security problems or not, will have a particular potential or lack of potential for such problems by virtue of where it is located.

The following aspects should be considered:

(a) The location of the school

(1) A rural siting - in general this has the least potential for security problems. However, isolated schools may prove attractive to the pre-meditated intruder but less so to the opportunist.

(2) An urban / suburban siting - this has more potential for the pre-meditated intruder and opportunist. More such persons are likely to be evident and the presence of shops and / or public houses with their own inherent problems can add to the overall risk.

(b) Site Manager / Caretaker accommodation

Where a Site manager / Caretaker is resident on site, the potential for intruder problems is normally, considerably reduced since, in general, it can be assumed that a form of security is available on site for 24 hours each day. However, the situation of the accommodation can lead to areas of a school being less easily observed and thus, ideally, random security patrols by such staff may be necessary particularly where there is a proven ‘intruder history’. (This may have health and safety implications).

(c) Natural surveillance of the school site

The more that the school site is visible by passers by on the public highway, the better. For example, if a school is bordered by roads upon three sides of it’s perimeter, better observation is achieved that if only the school frontage was visible from a road.

Domestic properties that may also overlook the school may assist the degree of natural surveillance possible,

(d) Neighbourhood Watch / Community support

(1) Neighbourhood Watch or other similar named schemes - where possible, schools should participate in such schemes since these can only be helpful in the reduction of potential intruder problems.

(2) Neighbourhood support - where possible, the owners of neighbouring properties that overlook the school, should be encouraged to report to the police or a nominated person or persons in the event of any anti-social or criminal activity.

Alternatively CRIME STOPPERS could be used.

Telephone no. 0800 555111

(e) The number of buildings on the school site

The more buildings on the school site, particularly if isolated, the greater the security risk becomes. Separate buildings may not be connected to the central alarm system or have an independent alarm installed. The more entry points that a building has, the greater the needs become in terms of protection.

(f) Use of the school site

The more a school is used for the purpose of lettings, the greater can be the potential for the intruder. Conversely, persons attending the lettings can also act as ‘natural surveillance’ in that they may see or suspect an intruder.

Where public buildings, for example libraries, are part of a school site, then any potential intruder is unlikely to be challenged, since members of the public are permitted on site, albeit only during opening hours.

Similarly, where a school may share it’s site with or be adjacent to, for example, a leisure complex or a youth centre, where ‘opening hours’ are likely to extend into the hours of darkness, then again, the potential for the determined and / or opportunist intruder can be higher.

The presence of an official public path across a school site or the use by the public of an unofficial or permitted path, can also increase the potential for the intruder. There are powers to close or re-site a public footpath, however, the legislation is still being clarified.

5 Security - protection factors

The following section deals with some aspects of site security that should be considered;

(a) Fencing - some general aspects

All fencing should be maintained in good condition, but when considering security, the following generalities should be noted;

(1) Ranch style timber / metal horizontal rail fencing - this is easy to climb or penetrate whatever it’s height.

(2) Close boarded timber style fencing - this conceals offenders and is easily scaled; it is not strong and can be easily damaged or ‘opened up’. It’s life expectancy is short and the maintenance cost are high.

(3) Chain link fencing - this is inadequate for security purposes and is only useful for defining boundaries. It is easily cut to gain unauthorised access and it can often be stretched at ground level to permit easy access or egress.

(4) Powder coated weld mesh / upright vertical fencing - this is a better security proposition, although expensive. It is more difficult to climb over and more resistant to mechanical cutting.

(5) Powdered coated palisade fencing - high palisade fencing is very effective at deterring he intruder. Although expensive, it is very difficult to climb and is resistant to mechanical cutting.

NB Both types of fencing described in paragraphs (4) and (5) above may require the installation of a concrete base to inhibit intruders crawling under the fence. Both types of fencing are more cost effective in the long term compared with chain link fencing.

(b) Gates - some general aspects

Ideally, all gates should be high enough and strong enough to deter intruders. The gates and their associated gate posts should be capped so that they are not easily climbed. Where good quality perimeter security fencing is installed, any incorporated gates should be of a similar standard.

Gates should be locked when they are not in use and be secured with a good quality close shackled padlock. If the gate is low and can be easily climbed then there is perhaps a reason to use a lower quality padlock. However, it should be remembered that vehicle access gates may need to be effectively padlocked to prevent unauthorised vehicle access.

NB Should it be necessary to leave the padlock attached to the open gate, then remember to re-lock it in situ so as to prevent its’ removal.

Endeavour to limit the number of gates that give access to a school site. Gates may need to be kept locked at certain times during the school day to deny unauthorised access and to channel the legitimate visitor towards the main entrance of the school.

Consider where the weakest point or points are in your school’s perimeter fencing. Decide what actions need to be taken to improve the security at such points in terms of denying access to an intruder. Weak points can be varied in nature, for example, inadequate, low or poorly maintained fencing, and so on.

(d) Natural vegetation

Vegetation in terms of shrubs, bushes or trees can directly influence the management of site security.

(1) Perimeter shrubbery - where this is growing directly against a perimeter fence, it can provide an additional barrier against the intruder. However, should there be spaces between the fence and the shrubbery, then an opportunity is presented for an intruder to hide. Should such areas exist, then consideration should be given to keeping those particular shrubs pruned to a maximum height of 1 metre. This is especially important with shrubs that border car parks.

(2) Decorative shrubbery - this may be found in decorative borders adjacent to or between buildings or as a border to recreational areas and so on. There are likely to be spaces behind or around such shrubs that can be utilised by an intruder. Where possible, such shrubs should be kept pruned to a maximum height of 1 metre. When the purchase of such shrubs is considered, attention should be given to their mature dimensions, ease of pruning and the planting position. Low, prickly heather can be good as a deterrent in certain areas, but should this be used then possible health and safety issues may need to be addressed as described in paragraph (3) below.