Article Highlights
- School security should protect students, staff, and visitors throughout the entire property. Lighting, access points, building interiors and perimeters all need to be reviewed as part of a safer school environment.
- Access control is a key part of school safety. Security cameras, visitor procedures and restricted master key systems can help schools manage who enters and moves through the property.
- Physical security helps protect vulnerable entry points. High-quality locks, security screens, security doors, and security windows can provide additional protection against unauthorised access.
- Perimeter security can reduce outside risks. Fencing, gates, lighting, and clear monitoring can help schools keep intruders away from classrooms, playgrounds and shared areas.
- School security works best as a layered approach. Cameras, locks, screens, staff procedures, community initiatives and emergency planning can work together to support a safer campus.
In this day and age, the safety and security of children in school are crucial. Sadly, threats have grown in number, and educational institutions like schools have become targets.
Most parents have trust in public schools to look after their children for the duration of the school day. Whether this is inside the building or outside on a school trip, school safety should be tight regardless.
There are 8 security measures that schools can implement to improve school security and safety for both students and teachers. With this article, you can take the guidance offered to help protect the little ones you’re responsible for when they set foot on the property, including a focus on security screens, surveillance and restricted master key systems.
The Importance Of Increased Security In Schools
Whether public or private, primary or high, these institutions are at risk of becoming targets if left vulnerable.
Security has become important not only for students but also for teachers who expect a safe working environment. Parents also place strong importance on adequate school security measures so they can feel at ease and confident that their child will be safe at school.
Back in 2018, a report by the Commissioner for Children and Young People found that 20% of students in Year 7 to Year 12 felt unsafe “often or sometimes” – whilst 44% feared that someone may hurt or bully them. No child should feel this way, especially when school should be the safest place for them.
Most Effective School Security Measures
If you’ve been looking at how you could improve school safety within your school, then there are plenty of measures you can put in place for this year and beyond.
1. Ensure A Well-Lit Exterior
For public and private schools, a good way to improve school security is to maintain well-lit exteriors during school hours. It’s not always something you would think about, especially during those summer months when it’s lighter in the mornings and evenings.
However, that’s not always the case, and to ensure your students can be seen everywhere, it’s worth having well-lit exteriors throughout the school grounds.
2. Monitor All Access Points
Ideally, all access points to the property should be monitored at all times. By controlling access to the building, you limit who can enter and exit. The two most common ways to control and monitor all access points are to have security cameras installed and to have an experienced locksmith company install a restricted master key system.
- Security Cameras: Place security cameras at all key entry points to the school, whether high-traffic or low-traffic areas. Have the screens monitored by staff in the admin office, and keep recordings for at least 30 days.
- Restricted Master Key System: This advanced access method provides different teachers, faculty staff, contractors and others with a level of access determined by the school. A restricted master key system is very common in large companies, corporations and education departments that place a high priority on security.
3. Install High-Security Locks On The Building
The building should be well-locked with high-quality locks, both when students are on the premises and when it is closed for the night.
It’s also worthwhile having security screens installed throughout the property on any window or door entrances that could be forcefully opened, such as glass panels. They’re a great way to add an extra layer of security, should you feel the school entrance points need them.
4. Monitor The Building’s Interior
You should be keeping a close eye on the building’s interior through security practices like security cameras. These are great for keeping track of what’s going on throughout the building and can help keep all children and staff safe as a result.
Security cameras located in internal areas can also be referred to in the event of an incident between students, or students and any staff.
5. Ensure The Perimeter Is Secured
Be sure to check the perimeters of the building. According to OECD, the average number of students in each public school class is 24, meaning there’s typically a lot of ground to cover to keep every class protected.
Securing the perimeters is crucial in keeping everyone safe. Having security screens installed as security doors and security windows provides premium protection from intruders. They can keep everyone safe inside whilst giving a visual of what’s going on outside.
Teachers can go about their day without worrying about what’s happening around the perimeter of the property.
6. Implement Visitor Access Procedures
In education, there are likely to be visitors coming onto the property at various times. It’s important to implement visitor access procedures so that, as a school, controlled access is in operation at all times.
It helps your reception and security team to keep track of who should be in the building and who shouldn’t be on the property.
7. Work With Community Initiatives
The community in your local area can help keep children safe. It’s not just the schools that can be vulnerable; the surrounding areas where your students walk to and from the premises can be, too.
Your school board can work hand in hand with organisations such as Kidsafe WA to ensure enough is being done to keep kids safe when out and about at any time during the day and outside of school hours.
8. Install Panic Room Technology
A panic room is one that many domestic properties have begun installing in the event of a robbery. For students on the property, it’s good to have a panic room so that should it be needed, children and students can seek safety in a completely secure space.
Why Do Schools Need Security Screens And Locks?
Schools can benefit from security screens and locks, in addition to their standard unexpected event procedures, providing an extra layer of protection. The focus of students should be on their education and not worrying about intruders or unusual people visiting the school.
Having security screens helps add an extra layer of security and reduces the risk of harm to both children and teachers on the premises.
It also gives the students and teachers on the property a clear view of what’s happening around them at all times, but behind the safety of security screens.
Bolster Your School’s Security With Central Screens & Locks
To help bolster your school’s security, Central Screens & Locks can provide a range of durable Amplimesh security screens. Give your students, their parents and teachers peace of mind that they’re in a safe environment when on the school property.
