At a presentation directed at building commissioners, teachers, architects, security advisers, project managers and local authority personnel with responsibilities for delivering the BSF programme, experts agreed early engagement and an integrated approach over an equipment led process is key to getting security in schools right.
"Ensuring that school premises are not rendered unusable by acts of arson,
vandalism or blighted by thefts, and that pupils, staff, visitors and neighbours can enjoy a safe environment in and around a school is an important and perennial issue," said TPS Director of Security & Explosion Effects, Mark Whyte.
"Security systems for new schools have to provide value for money and must justify the capital investment involved. Good security design is not simply about security hardware - it's about creating a safe and secure environment for staff and pupils and enhancing the learning environment. This requires a collaborative approach between headmasters, local authorities, the police, architectural liaison officers, architects and engineers."
