Warrington Road Nursery School Maintaining Safety and Security on the Premises Policy statement At Warrington Road Nursery School we maintain the highest possible security of our premises to ensure that each child, employee, student and visitor is safely cared for during their time with us. The most common problems which schools face are general nuisance, disturbance, abusive behaviour and vandalism by young people in and around their grounds. Such incidents can quickly lead to a general atmosphere which makes a more serious incident more likely. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and associated regulations require employers to do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure: The health, safety and welfare at work of employees; and The health and safety of non-employees such as pupils, students and visitors. In terms of the safety of individuals, this means that employers should look at the significant risks and implement sensible measures including security arrangements. 1. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1.1 Governing Body The Governing Body is responsible for: Adopting a Security policy and developing arrangements for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness; Providing resources to enhance security provisions, where required. 1.2 Head teacher The Head teacher is responsible for implementing a security policy agreed by the governing body and for ensuring that: Report any security issues to Governing Body and Local Authority; Carry out a periodic review of security arrangements, minimum biennially, through the completion of the security risk assessment (see appendix A and completed risk assessment)
In the event of high or medium risks identified from the risk assessment, seek further specialist advice, e.g. Risk Manager, Crime Prevention officer. Report crimes to the Police and seek advice where necessary; Ensure that there are procedures for regular checks of security provisions; and Ensure that staffs appreciate importance of security and understand their own responsibilities. 1.3 Staff and children The involvement of staff and children is critical in the success of the Policy and teaching and none teaching staff need to be aware of methods to: Understand their own role in making the school secure and reporting any concerns; Protect children from hazards; Own powers around trespassers, search and restraint; and Implementing schools emergency plan Parents are informed that the policy is in place to safeguard the welfare of pupils. 1.4 Local Authority Local Authority should support and monitor the implementation of School Security Policies and provide advice and support when required or requested. 2 SECURITY The following security measures and checks are in place: Type Secure Perimeter & Grounds Actions Clearly defined boundaries, public aware of extent of school grounds Perimeter fences or walls are robust and sufficient in height and coverage to make access to and from school difficult and time consuming for trespassers (appropriate fencing in accordance with Planning Control is required) Gates, walls and fences are well maintained and secure Gates, outbuildings, boiler rooms, etc, can be secured with padlock locks and chains Anything that restricts inter-visibility by neighbours or passers-by to aid natural surveillance should be removed
Reduce number of recesses where trespassers can hide Trade waste bins secured and caged Provision of external lighting controlled by a time switch or a Passive Infra-Red Detector Bike sheds / pram stores that are overlooked Wall apertures Grilles and air ventilation systems to be secure fixed to prevent access Roofs Access to the roof is restricted by anti-climb paints or other suitable anti scale barriers Doors Security of doors and windows not easily forced and all downstairs access points shuttered Limited to one main entrance during day External entrance or exit doors to have a 5 lever mortice deadlock and should be robust Added security through hinge bolts, anti-jemmy strips During school hours all external doors to remain shut and either to be locked or not able to be opened externally No letterboxes to prevent access to internal door locks or arson Checks of external doors to ensure that they are locked when school closed Windows Any opening window should be limited to 50mm maximum aperture [Minimum requirement the opening should be restricted to 100 mm or less to prevent falls] Procedures in place that prevent windows being left open when room unattended Window restrictors should only be able to be disengaged using a special tool or key Safety or limited glass susceptible to vandalism or forced entry Access may need to be restricted to balconies that are not designed to prevent people who are at risk from climbing over Alarm & CCTV systems Comprehensive coverage of school by fire & intruder alarms including doors, windows and internal areas Intruder alarms in sensitive areas e.g. Head teachers office, IT room, etc. Monitored fire and intruder alarms during our of hours Provision of external and internal [in particular reception area] security CCTV cameras Trees not to mask lighting, CCTV, etc. Internal Procedures All employed staff have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service Whenever children are on the premises at least two adults are present.
Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. Key persons know who is to collect a child. If any additional person is to come at short notice, a password system is operated. All staff are made aware if there is someone specific who is not to collect a child. Senior staff are always available at the start and end of the session if needed. The arrival and departure times of adults - staff, volunteers and visitors - are recorded. Our systems prevent unauthorised access to our premises. Internal doors are operated via a magnetic fob. To gain admittance a buzzer must be activated to alert staff. Induction procedures ensure that volunteers and students do not allow any person access to the nursery school. External gates are locked and the fire exit gate is only able to be opened by an adult from the inside. Our systems prevent children from leaving our premises unnoticed. Valuables should not be left unattended. The personal possessions of staff and volunteers are securely stored during sessions Defined cash handling procedures including storing cash in a safe Store keys in a safe or a secure cabinet Storing or locking valuable equipment when not in use Marking of valuable/portable equipment Designated car par and vehicle security Switch off policy for electrical equipment when not in use Reception area to be located and designed so that it overlooks the front and visitors directed to reception Controlled entry for visitors [including suppliers, contractors] to present themselves to secure reception point and issued with a visitors pass Supervised access of visitors Involvement in Neighbourhood Watch Schemes or even informal arrangements with neighbours Suitable playground supervision Lockdown Procedures in place (see appendix b and completed procedure) If required seek advice from Crime Reduction Advisor (Cheshire Police) TRESPASS All schools and school grounds are private places, and anyone entering without authority may be asked to leave. Anyone entering without permission is a trespasser.
Trespass is a civil rather than a criminal matter. The Head teacher, in exercising day to day management of the school, determines who should have access to the premises. 2.1 Section 547 of the Education Act 1996 All schools have a common law power to bar troublesome adults from the school premises. A trespasser refusing to leave school premises, or entering after being required to leave, may also be committing an offence under section 547 of the Education Act 1996. Section 547 says that someone without authority on school premises who causes a nuisance or disturbance, commits an offence. Police officers and other authorised people (a member of staff in certain circumstances) can use reasonable force to remove someone reasonably suspected of committing an offence under section 547. An example of a letter designed to warn trespassers of the possibility of action under section 547 is included under appendix B. 3 MAINTAINING RECORDS Any complaints about actions taken by members of staff should be taken through the schools complaints system. We record and report and violent incidents via HBC electronic systems. Additional incidents perhaps of a quite minor nature which might become significant if they recurred and became persistent, are also recorded eg: Minor trespass; Minor aggressive behaviour by persons other than children around the school site; Matters reported by parents. These are then raised and minuted at Staff and Governors meetings. 4 CONTACTS We can seek advice and assistance from relevant contacts within the Local Authority. These include; Risk Management Tony Dean 0151 511 7967 Legal Services Ed Austin 0151 511 6639 Critical Incident Management Martin West 0151 511 7386
APPENDIX A Part 1. Incidence of crime in the last 12 months Question Low High 0 1 2 3 4 5 No cases of trespassers on school Trespasser commonly present of grounds school grounds No cases of vandalism reported No cases of theft or burglary Frequent and costly vandalism of school buildings Frequent theft or burglary No arson attacks in the locality No attacks on pupils or staff reported No drugs or solvent abuse problems Schools in locality have suffered from arson attacks Attacks inside schools or vicinity School or locality problem with drugs or solvent abuse TOTAL SCORE 2. Environment and buildings TOTAL SCORE Locality has a low crime rate Grounds clearly visible Boundaries well defined with fences and gates preventing all but determined intruders Clear entrances with signs directing visitors Pass system in operation with badges issued to all visitors Car parks well lit and overlooked Buildings well-kept and in good repair with no graffiti and not vandalised No buildings detached from main block No places for intruders to hide and break in unobserved Doors secure against all but most determined intruders Windows and roof lights protected against burglars Few computers, TV s and other equipment Buildings have adequate fire compartmentation Strong community and parental support benefits security, e.g. active PTA No reported problems and/or security benefits due to out of hours use Locality has a high crime rate as reported to Police Unobserved grounds No fences or gates preventing unauthorised access No clear entrances or multiple entrances No system of recording visitors No safe place to park, car parks unlit and not overlooked or surrounded by trees Buildings badly kept and in state of disrepair, graffiti covered and vandalised Many detached buildings including temporary huts Numerous places for intruders to hide and break in unobserved Fire exit doors easily forced, inadequate locks Windows and roof lights provide easy access Many computers, TV s and other equipment Over-large fire compartments and lack of fire/smoke barriers and doors Insignificant parental or community involvement or negative attitudes Many security problems due to out of hours, special risks, e.g. bars, social clubs, etc.
Part Question Low High 0 1 2 3 4 5 3. Security measures TOTAL SCORE Effective system of reporting suspicious incidents, e.g. paging, texting Successful Youth Action Group or School Council Waste and recycle bins locked away every night Lighting of all entrances, footpaths and building facades Efficiency surveillance e.g. CCTV covering perimeter or security patrols Intruder alarms using infra-red detectors in all ground floor perimeter and other vulnerable rooms Automatic fire detection system linked to fire service All valuable property marked and kept in secure store and securely locked Secure cash handling methods in operation No scheme in operation No involvement of pupils in security Unlocked mobile bins left around school No lighting No surveillance system No Intruder alarm system No automatic fire detection system Valuable property no locked away or marked No cash handling methods in operation Crime (0-30) Environment & Buildings (0-75) Security Measures (0-45) TOTAL SCORE {Once overall score has been established, school should be rated as below}
APPENDIX B LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES Lockdown procedures are required at schools during emergency incidents in particular where potential armed weapons are suspected. Schools may wish to consider going into lock-down when such incidents occur and develop the following procedures in responding to emergency incidents of a similar nature: Notifying the Police and be guided by their advice; Raising the alarm taking account of every scenario (e.g. playtime, etc) and without using the fire alarm; Having shutters and a locked foyer to prevent external views of where staff and pupils are located within the school; Ensuring that external doors are either locked or prevent external access into the school; Identifying refuge areas within schools away for staff and pupils to congregate; Establishing if staff/pupils are in buildings away from the main building, whether to bring them into the main building; Developing effective communications for staff, pupils, parents, Police and Local Authority during such incidents; Maintaining an emergency/critical incident contact contacts list and ensuring that it is readily available; and Test Critical Incident Response plans.
APPENDIX C Name address [School headed notepaper] date Dear Nuisance on School Premises: ENTER DATES I am writing to you regarding the latest occasion on which your presence on the school s premises has given rise to grave concerns. The latest incident took place at TIME on DATE when you were on the school s premises. On this occasion THEN DESCRIBE IN SOME DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY IT GIVES CAUSE FOR CONCERN. The incident was witnessed by NO NAMES BUT SAY WERE THEY STAFF CHILDREN PARENTS. As you will know this is not the first time that your presence on school premises has given grave cause for concern and you will appreciate that we need to balance your needs to present on the premises as a parent with our duties to children, parents and staff who quite properly rely on the School to ensure that the school premises are a safe and suitable environment. Previous occasions over the last XXX years include incident when you DESCRIBE IN OUTLINE AND IF YOU CAN GIVE DATES AND/OR YEARS I draw your attention to Section 547 of the Education Act 1996 which states: People who cause nuisance or disturbance to pupils, teachers or other lawful users of the premises are guilty of an offence and if they are convicted in the magistrates court can be fined up to [ 500]. This applies to playing fields, playgrounds and other school premises for outdoor recreation of any LEA maintained school. A police officer who has reasonable cause to suspect that someone is committing an offence of this type may remove them from the premises. I have already brought this latest incident to the attention of the Police and am also copying this letter to them, to the School s Chair of Governors and to the Council Solicitor. Any repeat of such behaviour will result in further Police involvement and if necessary we will consider applying for an Order to ban you from entering the school premises. I am sorry to have to write to you in these terms but it is important that you are aware that your behaviour is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Yours sincerely CC Police Head Teacher CC Chair Governors CC Council Solicitor