Education and Oftsed security requirements
Ofsted requirements:
Schools and colleges are often tackled with very unique security challenges. With both students and staff requiring different forms of safety precautions, security measures can often become complex and difficult to implement. By working with a professional security company with industry accreditations, your security systems can be designed from the ground-up with usability and scalability in mind.
Can you be prosecuted?
In 2009, a School's governing body was prosecuted when a contracted worker accidentally set fire to the School while using an electric saw. They were fined £2,000. Prosecution is not out of the ordinary for a school that doesn’t comply with regulations, these will apply to the safeguarding and security policy also.
It is important to understand the problems that schools face regarding budget and funding and that the strains on the service have only increased with more regulations regarding privacy and security, an increase in terror and a huge spike in knife crime in schools. Bearing this in mind a security system designed for a school needs to be functional and safe but also affordable and expandable with budgetary requirements.
Hikvision Turbo HD
The common misperception of more modern integrated systems is that they are expensive and unaffordable due to government cuts on funding. One example of how a security system can offer scalability is the Hikvision Turbo HD, this Digital Video Recorder (DVR) has a ‘dual’ nature meaning it can read cameras in both analog and digital format, maximising the image quality meaning that aged cameras can become an addition to your new system so, if you require more space to be covered, your replacement cameras become extra cameras.
Insider knowledge and extensive experience of CCTV and alarm systems is important when choosing an installer as positioning is key when it comes to security and ill fitted cameras, motion sensors and alarms give less coverage of the premises and make you more susceptible to break-ins and incidents.
Schools are made well aware of their responsibilities
Ofsted make it well known that the school has responsibility for the safety and security of all students and have a ‘duty of care’. An effective school security system comprises the capabilities to view the premises in and out of hours as well as secure the perimeter at all times, the main problem is the difference between a security system giving insight to bring about safety and the system becoming intrusive and more of a problem than a solution.
A security expert will be able to provide brilliant advice and a service that covers the premises seamlessly encompassing all your needs regarding protection but also optimizing all student experiences. Many software options are available for integrated systems and they contain everything a school uses under one usable umbrella; access control, CCTV, automated gates, food payment systems, lockers and even room booking systems.
Age and variety of buildings
Often there is much emphasis on a school security system keeping ‘the enemy’ out but our schools’ often overlook simple issues regarding safety in an effort to secure the premises. Ofsted continually mark schools down where they have installed the wrong type of electronic access control on fire doors resulting in danger and confusion in the event of an emergency evacuation. When thinking about your security system bear every last detail in mind to avoid failing the necessary requirements. We understand that schools, colleges, academy’s and other centers for learning are often located in a number of separate buildings, this why access control and smart integrated systems are perfectly suited for the education sector. All students/cardholders, with no limit, can be granted and denied access to any room for any amount of time in any certain building, the modern systems can be controlled wirelessly with data-on-card technology and wi-fi. These access systems allow those schools that struggle with staffing to be able to securely watch the entirety of the premises and know exactly who has access, where and how long for giving parents and teachers peace of mind instead of an open-door policy.
System integration can be as simple as the perimeter administered by access control and the rest by lock and key or as complex as every door and locker inside the main premises and out buildings e.g. sports facilities, offices etc. There is an extensive software range regarding integration and each package offers a variety of features. Some can be as simple as barring people from accessing a single door but some software is cutting edge; Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) or smart IP cameras can be programmed to alarm or make changes to other components when/if an object is identified or lost. One example being used today in airports and train stations is smart IP cameras programmed to notice when a bag is unattended alarming the system so it can be removed, this has increased productivity and reduced response times an immense amount. So, are integrated solutions the future of education? Would smart IP cameras increase productivity in class, attendance and perhaps reduce bullying? In retail the use of tagging is common, often in big department stores attached to sunglasses, phones and more expensive clothes are clips read by cameras and sensors, indicating when an item leaves the shop. Tagging could easily be used to protect school property but could it examine aggressive behavior and notify the system of bullying? What is the extent of this technology.
How it works
Send an Enquiry
Let us know what type of security system you need
We Find the Best Installer
Once we receive your enquiry, our team will find a reliable, certified security installer.
Receive Quotes
You will be contacted by a top-tier installer who will provide you with a detailed quote.
Install & Support
After selecting the right installer, they will carry out the installation, ensuring your system is fully functional.