Studies into new school buildings have shown that students feel safer, more inspired and enjoy going to school more than ever before and that incidents of bullying and vandalism are on the slide. A perfect example of this evidence can be found at Lord Lawson of Beamish where the advanced security system has proven the research true.
Objectives
A safe, secure and communicative environment was a top priority for the school and so they brought in specialists Boston Networks Ltd to assess the school's networking requirements for CCTV and visual communication systems. The school already utilised an older analogue security system to secure the perimeter of the building but wanted surveillance for the inside of the school to act much more intelligently. With expert knowledge Boston Networks Ltd were able to advise the school to use the latest advancements in security, an IP system by Panasonic, which could run over the network on the same cables as a new digital signage network, therefore reducing cabling and installation costs.
Installation
Tony McGuire from Boston Networks Ltd comments on the installation process, "It was important to keep disruption to a minimum whilst work was undertaken, therefore installation was carried out during weekends and evenings. We also installed the equipment around the students break times and in the morning before the stampede came!"
Beyond Expectations
The brief for the installation of the security was to control internal behavioural problems in areas where groups congregate, specifically in lobby areas and corridors. However, with a total of 53 Panasonic i-Pro fixed dome cameras used and around 80% of the school covered by cameras, staff have found the benefits to be far greater than originally expected.
Any incidents involving bad behaviour are recorded in the log book and the staff are able to use the footage and invite parents to privately view the recorded incident with the Head teacher. The aim of using the CCTV in this way is to educate the students that their behaviour will not go un-noticed and will not be tolerated. So far the school has been much success with this and state that they have seen a reduction in incidents of bullying since the installation of the security system. As the Deputy Head Teacher Linda Alder puts it, "The CCTV provides a ‘no argument' tool for us, as the offender of any incident can be caught and the evidence used to provide a suitable reprimand." The school is now able to invoice parents for any damage to the school's property caused by their child, and the CCTV can be used as visual support in case of any query, therefore significantly reducing maintenance costs.
Additionally the security system has also had a positive impact on health and safety. An exemplary incident occurred not long after the refurbishment had been completed, Alan Burdis, Site Manager at the school explains, "A fire door hadn't been fitted properly which caused a minor injury to one of the sixth form students. There was a camera covering the incident which clearly shows the injury being caused by the incorrect fitting and the evidence is now being used in a civil claim."
Placement of the cameras
Within many of the school's corridors and lobby areas the walls have been painted with a strong, resistant paint to avoid incidents of defacing, however this could have potentially caused serious problems for the cameras due to the highly glossy and reflective surface. The
Panasonic WV-NF284 dome cameras were able to overcome this due to the excellent back light compensation, so that all movements and students can be clearly seen even with bright light reflecting off the walls.
The decision to install WV-NF284 dome cameras was also made for their vandal resistant housing in order to eliminate any potential damage caused by the students.
Storage and viewing needs
Boston Networks supplied Panasonic WJ-ND300 network video recorders to support images for 30 days. Recording is set on motion detection which means it will only record when movement is detected, meaning at night the school can save on power consumption without having to record constantly.
A comprehensive system enhancing the school's operational requirements
The Panasonic surveillance system has been a great success with the school's management and teachers, it's "exceptional picture quality" have brought real benefits to the school and Boston Networks Ltd supplied a system that will save the school money over time. The system has even been so successful and well received by student and parents alike that it now even gets a mention in the school's prospectus to attract new intake with the statement, "Students are admitted to a House Block system which has been widely praised for the quality of its care. We are strongly anti-bullying and use new technology to track students from lesson to lesson so we always know where they are."
