Dealing with evolving security threats

In the wake of recent tragedies, such as the fatal stabbing of a pupil in Sheffield, concerns over school safety have resurfaced with urgency. So what can schools do to create a safer environment for all?

Recent events, such as the tragic death of a boy after a stabbing at a Sheffield school, has propelled school security into the headlines.

Incidents like this contribute to a phenomenon of pupils feeling unsafe at school. A report from The Key, in partnership with Edurio, conducted in 2023, revealed that nearly one in 10 pupils reported feeling not very safe in school, or not safe at all. A Youth Endowment Fund report meanwhile showed that in 2022, 14 per cent of students missed school due to safety concerns.

So what should schools be doing to ensure their school is a safe environment for pupils, staff and visitors?

Security systems and policies

Schools are required to have policies in place on security measures, covering everything from deterring attacks, keeping learners safe, and when it’s appropriate to implement a lockdown.  

The Department for Education provides a range of guidance to support schools and colleges with their security plans.  

School staff should familiarise themselves with the statutory guidance on keeping children safe in education and make sure they understand and meet their safeguarding responsibilities. There is also non-statutory guidance to help schools and colleges manage their security effectively.

To help education settings become better prepared for and able to respond to terrorism and other major incidents, the DfE has also published non-statutory guidance providing advice. This guidance is aimed at all those working in education, specifically responsible for planning for emergency responses and site security. The guidance offers simple, practical and low-cost steps to deter attacks and keep learners safe.

In addition, there is a range of resources freely available to assist security leads, teachers, and learners in preparing and responding to counter terrorism incidents.  

ACT for Youth is aimed at 11-16-year-olds on how to stay safe if caught during a terrorist attack. It teaches young people the three critical actions to take: RUN to safety, HIDE if running isn’t possible, and TELL the police when it’s safe to do so. The programme provides lesson plans and resources using film and activities to help students understand how to respond in dangerous situations.  

ACT for Education e-Learning is aimed at all staff and non-staff, including contractors, working in settings. The course includes embedding a security minded culture, identifying security vulnerabilities and suspicious activities, and how to respond to incidents using core principles like RUN HIDE TELL, the HOT Protocol, and the Power of Hello.

Are systems fit for purpose?

Are school security systems adequate enough to deal with the evolving security threats are schools face?

Jason Blair, who runs managed security specialist firm, Camelott, says the current measures in place at many settings are outdated. Jason explains: “With a worryingly growing number of life-altering, life-threatening, and fatal incidents occurring across our schools, it’s very clear that more needs to be done to protect children, staff, and visitors.

“By necessity, educational settings are security-centric. Yet, many of these once-effective systems simply don’t focus enough on the real and growing threats facing schools today. They lack real world tests, on top of a lack of shared information around schools advising the type of threat they face and where they could be exposed. “As a result of these alarmingly increasing violent events, school leaders are naturally eager to improve and increase the effectiveness of the systems they have in place - welcome and reassuring news to any parent or carer whose trust is placed 
in these settings.

“However, any security overhaul or update must go above and beyond tick-boxes or standard procedures – because as we’ve seen of late, an above and beyond approach to security is not just a want; it’s an imperative need.”

Jason has shared some useful questions for leaders to ask themselves when considering any new security alarm or lockdown system: Is the lockdown alarm easy to set off while dealing with a serious situation? How quickly will the alarm reach the entire school? How distinctive is the alarm? How reliable is the lockdown alarm process? And finally, is the security suited to your setting, taking into account premises that are separate?

Access management

Having multiple entrances raises security concerns, and so schools must ensure they have good perimeter security and access management.

Access points need to be controlled strictly, with clear signage for central entry points. Potential risks and from surrounding areas should be identified, including whether there is anything that could allow an intruder to climb over fences or gates.

Schools should consider setting designated pathways for cars and pedestrians and spend time devising a plan for site security during off-peak hours, especially if the school site is used for community events.

Test security plans

Schools should regularly test policies and handling plans. Practice drills will identify where improvements can be made and enable schools to assess what the wider residual effects of an incident are likely to be. Security leads should consider involving neighbouring schools or colleges, local police, local authorities, academy trusts or other outside agencies in helping evaluate practice drills.