62 • SECURITYSYSTEMS
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Improving Internal Security
and Preparing for the Unknown
Implementing a stable and effective security
strategy in schools is one thing. Maintaining a high
standard of safety for all those within the premises
is another. So, where do the two meet? And how
can you be prepared for situations you might not
be expecting? Sue Corrick, EMEA Product Manager
at Allegion UK and school governor, discusses how
to balance safety and security in schools, and what
to do when the unexpected occurrences occurs.
» » SECURITY AND SAFETY IN SCHOOLS
is high on the agenda for parents, students,
teachers, facilities teams, governing bodies
and local education authorities. When it
comes to schools, everyone has a role to
play in the implementation of an effective
school security strategy, but balancing
safety and security can be a challenge.
There can be a lot of focus put onto
implementing well-rounded, strong
security strategies, but this doesn’t always
account for unexpected situations. Being
well prepared starts with understanding
the building and its physical
requirements, as well as its inhabitants
and their specific needs.
It’s been said time and time again, but
there really is no “one size fits all” solution
when it comes to safety and security. This
is particularly relevant when it comes to
schools, as there are no two the same.
Therefore, whilst the school building itself
needs a bespoke and meticulous security
strategy, its inhabitants must also be
considered.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
AMONGST PUPILS
School pupils, teachers and all those
on-site should be intrinsic to any safety
choices made. It’s almost impossible to
have a fully successful protocol in place
if the people within aren’t taken into
consideration.
Focusing on pupils and their needs
in particular, it can be difficult to be
prepared for any type of situation,
especially when certain situations can’t
be predicted. One specific case which
demonstrates these kinds of occurrences
is when pupils become involved in anti-
social behaviour.
This raises a number of issues
pertaining to both the security of the
premises and the pupils’ safety. If children
are to attempt to (or succeed in) leaving
the premises without permission - for
example - this fabricates further security
and safety challenges that may not have
been accounted for.
RECOGNISING GREY AREAS
To prevent pupils from leaving the
premises, there may be a temptation to
padlock fire escapes or position the push-
pad emergency exits higher on the door
so that the children cannot reach them.
However, this then raises questions about
fire safety. It seems as though there’s
no one single answer - especially when
individual situations will have their own
backgrounds and contexts.
For example, if pupils routinely leave
school without permission through an
emergency exit, the school will have to
carry out a risk assessment in partnership
with local safety code experts to see
how to safely reduce unauthorized
exits. One option would be to ensure an
unauthorized exit does not go unnoticed.
Others may include layered security. A
careful evaluation of each situation and a
clear understanding of what’s important
to ensure student safety is essential.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | MAY/JUN 2019
Sponsored by Mul-T-Lock
Sue Corrick
ADDRESSING INTERNAL RISK
There’s an increasing pressure to
ensure external security measures are in
place and in good working order. Physical
perimeter security and effective access
control are at the heart of any successful
school security programme, but creating
a safe and secure environment requires
significant planning and internal security
and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Schools which focus on keeping
potential risks outside the premises
can easily forget about risks that may
occur from within. Children who have
been left without an adult’s assistance
may unwillingly put their own safety at
risk if they are to wander into an area
they’re not supposed to enter, such as
a supply room or classroom laboratory
with cleaning chemicals. Visitors,
contractors and employees who have
been authorised to enter the site may
invite certain risk, including theft. Yet, the
majority of people on a school campus
have good intentions and it’s important to
have an environment that allows parents
and others to be part of the school
community.