The Kettlethorpe High Project
After suffering from a series of broken windows and break-ins, which led to an increase in their insurance premiums and an escalation of insurance claims ‘excess' charges from £75, to £500 (per claim), Kettlethorpe High, one of Wakefield's largest schools, decided to take action. Having been awarded the status of specialist mathematics and computing college by the Government, the accompanying benefit of a one-off grant of £100,000, plus £123 per pupil for four years, gave the school the impetus and opportunity to create a better environment for all.
Finding a Secure solution
Allied to being plagued by problems with their existing black and white camera system, installed over eight years ago, Alan Hampshire, Kettlethorpe's Finance and Site Manager decided that the time had come to sort the problem out and ushered-in a total review of the school's security measures. "Recognising that CCTV surveillance is an important and complex subject, one which demands expert advice and consultation." explains Alan.
Acctive Systems of Surrey were the selected installer, offering a support package that fitted the school's brief perfectly. This specification was for a system that would not only offer effective 24-hour surveillance, but also, due to an unfortunate experience with the previous CCTV system provide a guaranteed 4-hour service call out.
Effective specification
Chosen for their advanced capabilities, Panasonic's range of monochrome and colour cameras deliver many advantages over more conventional equipment. Unlike with ordinary CCTV cameras, the chosen Panasonic Super DII ‘day/night switching' cameras can be used to pick-out important detail that might otherwise be lost.
To assist with the smooth running of the system, the capability to record consistently high quality CCTV video footage, without the need to manage the daily changing of videotapes, was a prerequisite for the school system. Providing an effective solution to this issue, two Panasonic digital hard disk video recorders (DVRs) are programmed to ‘loop' record over a 30-day period. Rapidly superseding the more traditional use of analogue video technology, Panasonic's latest generation of digital DVRs offer a superior quality of video pictures when compared to that of cassette-tape based time-lapse VCRs.
Other benefits derived from the deployment of DVR recording equipment include their ability to provide an incredibly fast and convenient way to search the hard disk to locate recorded footage - saving the school valuable management time.
Since the Panasonic surveillance system was installed, instances of trespassing, acts of vandalism and break-ins have decreased significantly at the school's grounds.
Apart from the security issue, the system is seen as being a great aid to improving pupil behaviour and with just 26 supervisors to manage 1,700 pupils at break-times, the system ensures that the school's ruling, ‘pupils remain on site, within school grounds', is being adhered to.
Summary of installation
Delighted with the project, Alan Hampshire has further plans to increase security within the school. He says, "The plan now is to improve our internal surveillance coverage, with cameras sited to oversee corridors and protect key classrooms, especially those with high-value equipment, such as the new computer room."
Summarising the project Alan adds, "The installation and post installation support we have received has been excellent. The care and attention to detail has enabled us to maximise the benefit that the Panasonic based system is capable of, delivering a high level of security and safety for our property, pupils and staff."
