Schools and education spaces provide learning opportunities for children and teenagers — some of the most vulnerable groups. All education spaces have a duty of care and must keep young people safe.
This duty of care covers all manner of aspects, from mental wellbeing to cybersecurity. After all, students and teachers should all feel safe from the moment they step onto school grounds. With high-quality perimeter security, including school security gates and fencing, education providers can enhance that sense of safety from the outset.
Let’s take a closer look at the best school security fencing and gate options, and how they can contribute to overall school safety measures.
Why is perimeter security so important for schools?
School entrance security gates provide a barrier to ensure all students and staff are protected. A secure entry system is essential for several reasons.
Keeping unauthorised people out
Effective school fencing and gates — particularly those with access control — ensure that only authorised people can enter the premises. This reduces the risk of people who could cause harm from accessing the school grounds.
Managing visitors
The right school gates can also allow staff to manage visitors more effectively, so that only identified, authorised personnel can enter. As well as enhancing security, this can help with traffic flow — both in school car parks and on-foot within the school grounds.
Monitoring who is in school
While taking the register can help monitor attendance, school security gates also offer an extra point of contact, helping teachers know who is on-site and keep an eye on unauthorised exits.
Not only can this ensure students are making the most of their educational opportunities, but it can also support knowing who is where in the event of a fire alarm.
Compliance and legal requirements
Schools and colleges must meet certain requirements when it comes to perimeter security. For example, to be compliant with government guidelines, school fences and gates must be at least 2m high and meet British Standard BS 1722.
In addition, gates must have anti-lift hinges and an approved locking mechanism.
Peace of mind
When the right school gate security measures are in place, teachers, students, and parents can all have peace of mind knowing they or their loved ones are safe.
How to choose the right school security gates
If you’re looking to install or replace school gates, there are a few options from which to choose. Every education facility is different, so it’s important to find the ideal gate type for the site in question. At Security Solutions, we provide bespoke school gates to provide the exact level of security needed.
So, what are your options?
- Sliding security gates: A sliding security gate is a great option for school car parks and entrances where space is limited. Because they slide along a track to open or close, they won’t take up any room in front of or behind the fencing.
Models like our SRSG SALUS Sliding Gate and SSSG Steel Cantilever Sliding Gate are made from robust materials for durability and ultimate security.
- Bi-folding security gates: A bi–fold security gate is another excellent option for schools. These compact and space-saving gates open and close quickly, making them ideal for managing traffic flow during busy times — such as school drop-off and pick-up. They also offer a modern, streamlined aesthetic.
- Swing security gates: If space isn’t so much of an issue, swing gates can be a good addition to school sites. With access openings up to 12 metres, they can be especially beneficial for school bus entry and exit, allowing drivers to park safely when dropping off and collecting students.
- Pedestrian security gates: Often used in conjunction with vehicle gates, pedestrian gates allow schools to manage foot traffic to ensure only students, staff, and permitted visitors can access the building. These gates offer a safe way for pedestrians to get onsite without worrying about vehicles and road hazards.
Automation options
Adding automation features is one of the best ways to enhance the security of any school gates. Motorised openers and control systems allow a smoother flow of traffic (vehicle or pedestrian).
With access control, such as a keypad entry, card readers, or audio intercom systems, it’s even easier to manage who comes in and out.
If you’d like to learn more about installing automatic gates at schools, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Security Solutions team.
Creating an essential barrier with security fencing
Just as choosing the most suitable security gate is important, it’s essential to consider your options when installing school security fencing, too.
School fences must be a minimum of 2m high and need to be made from a durable material. There are three main security fence types from which to choose.
- Palisade fencing: This features vertical steel pickets attached to horizontal rails. Palisade security fences are strong and make a good visual deterrent — they are difficult to climb or cut.
- Mesh fencing: Robust in all weather conditions, mesh security fences are a classic choice for schools and colleges, especially around playing fields. You can add anti-climb measures for extra security.
- Rail fencing: Available in different designs, rail fencing balances security with aesthetics. We provide stainless steel rails that are incredibly strong and can add extra anti-climb features.
Whichever fencing you choose, we can tailor it to your school’s requirements to ensure a practical solution that deters intruders but welcomes students and visitors.
Bollards and additional safety features for schools
It’s vital to keep children and young people safe as they walk through school car parks. While school fences and gates are essential for any educational premises, bollards, traffic flow plates, and road blockers can enhance safety and security around moving vehicles.
These measures ensure cars and buses move slowly and safely around pedestrians and can reduce congestion at busy times.
Best practices for maintaining school security gates and fencing
Once fitted, school security gates and fences are designed to create a robust barrier that enhances school safety for years to come. However, there are a few actions schools can take to ensure their gates are in top condition.
- Carry out regular inspections to check for any signs of damage or vandalism.
- Make sure any damage is repaired quickly so it doesn’t escalate.
- Consider installing CCTV and other security measures to monitor the fence and gate condition.
- Ensure any replacement parts adhere to the correct guidelines and regulations.
For your peace of mind, we recommend contacting our highly skilled professional engineers to discuss our service and maintenance packages.
No matter what style of security fence or gate you have, we can ensure it is always in full working order and resolve any minor issues before they become a bigger problem.
High-quality Security fencing and electric gates for schools from Security Solutions
The team at Security Solutions has supported many schools and colleges around the UK in installing effective security gates and fences to enhance student and staff safety.
Take a look at our case study to see how we installed fencing, sliding gates, bi-fold gates, and swing gates at Cannon Slade High School in Bolton.
For more advice on fitting your education premises with security gates and fencing, please feel free to get in touch to see how we can help.