Jacksons Fencing has released insights into architects’ views on school safety from its report ‘Protecting the Future’.
Taken alongside teachers’ perspectives, the report highlights significant differences between architects and school management as well as some reassuring common ground.
On average, almost two thirds of architects know of schools being affected by fencing and gate issues (60 per cent). While a similar amount of head teachers have commissioned new access solutions at least once (63 per cent) and over three quarters have had their perimeter inspected within the past five years (80 per cent), these problems are clearly not being resolved.
The majority of architects (71 per cent) find that school security refurbishments use the original specifications with some value engineering while a significant number know of schools down specifying to save cost (17 per cent). This is despite head teachers’ greatest concerns being unauthorised exits and entrances (30 per cent and 25 per cent), both of which can be prevented with well-designed and specified fencing and gates.
Specification evasion
Architects identify budget as the greatest challenge when installing school fencing (84 per cent), followed by restricted installation times (48 per cent) and working where children are present (39 per cent). The high number of schools keeping the same specifications or down specifying may be a reflection of this concern for cost and minimum disruption.
A perimeter’s price tag is not the most significant concern for schools, however. Performance is the highest priority (73 per cent) for teachers, followed closely by security ratings and accredited products (68 per cent). These come ahead of both lifetime and initial costs (64 per cent and 59 per cent respectively).
Setting the standards
Recent bomb threats sent to schools across the UK reinforced the crucial role that school staff play in protecting pupils from harm. Head teachers’ identify that creating a positive learning environment (86 per cent) and keeping the school community safe (82 per cent) as the most important parts of their positions. Ensuring their security solutions meet industry standards is one way of fulfilling both these aims.
A third of architects are seeing Secured by Design (SBD) and LPS 1175 standards increasingly specified (31 per cent). This is complemented with 95 per cent being familiar with SBD. While change is on the horizon, there is work to be done. Currently under half of architects know about LPS 1175 (47 per cent).
While head teachers are concerned about the safety of their pupils, 39 per cent don’t know where to go to find out more about school security and access control. They do, however, have some awareness of safety guidelines, with half being familiar with the recommended height for school fences. A similar number know of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) guidelines, which apply primarily to playgrounds.
An inside perspective
Overall, architects’ views on school security are in line with teachers, with 32 per cent and 29 per cent respectively saying that they acknowledge weak points in the perimeter. There is also agreement between both parties about which safety issues are afflicting schools the most: multiple entrances, having difficult to see areas and more than one building.
Architects, however, are more cognisant of these problems than teachers, with a 40 per cent average difference between their responses. This disparity was especially marked where 72 per cent of architects said that ageing fencing is an issue, compared to 16 per cent of teachers.
Security Consultant at Jacksons Fencing Cris Francis comments:
“While there is a healthy level of agreement between architects and teachers on what the key school security issues are, our research reveals some concerning differences. Despite schools prioritising the performance of their fencing and gates, architects are up against stringent budgets that lead to maintaining outdated solutions or down specifying. Schools need to find a way of balancing cost with adequately ensuring children’s safety. Part of the problem might be that without a professional understanding of design and security, school staff can’t appreciate the impact of perimeter issues to the same extent as architects.”
“Architects also have a greater awareness of safety standards and LPS 1175 certified products. By using their expertise to help schools choose the most appropriate solution for their specific risks and needs, they can help safeguard staff and students alike from future harm.”