Reviewed by: Shakera Rahman and Sarah Cokayne, Resources Committee 16th May 2022
Next Review: Summer 2024
Security of the school site
The Headteacher and Governors aim to ensure that pupils are secure at all times on the Kelvin Grove sites. All school buildings are unlocked at 6.00am and closed at 6.00pm on normal days. The entrance gates will be closed during the school day, from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Some classroom doors remain open during the day but unmonitored entrances around the main building can only be opened from the outside with a fob. In the main building any visitor must access the school through the front entrance and will only be admitted when a security check has been made by one of the Administration Team. Similar checks will be carried out in the Nursery and Children’s Centre.
Staff access
Staff are given door access security fobs to enable them to enter without checks being made. No member of staff should admit an unknown person, unless proof of identity has been obtained.
Visitors
All visitors will be required to complete the log book, giving details of their name, purpose of visit and time of arrival. They will be required to wear a visitors’ badge and read the ‘Safety Information for Visitors’ that is displayed in the foyer. Children are encouraged to notify staff if they see any unknown visitor not wearing one. Staff should verify the particulars of any unknown visitor, accompanied by another member of staff. At no time should they put themselves at risk by challenging the unknown visitor on their own. Staff should advise the Administration team if they are expecting visitors by adding their names and the time they are due to the shared calendar. Visits by agencies and other professionals should also be booked this way.
Contractors
During the school day all visitors and contractors are required to report to the school office, to present identification as necessary, to sign in and to wear a visitors’ badge. All visitors to the school must be authorised by the Headteacher/Deputy Head or a Member of the SMT.
All contractors should have notified the school in advance of their visit and have appropriate documentation with them (job sheet etc). They should liaise with the administration team who will alert the Premises Officer to their presence. The Premises Officer will supervise the work area ensuring that it presents no compromise to safety. He will advise the Headteacher or School Business Manager if there are any problems concerning the visit.
Security of the Children
The above security arrangements provide a safe environment for children. It is essential that none of the above procedures are compromised without prior discussion with the Headteacher or a member of the SMT. All staff, supply staff and regular volunteers have enhanced DBS checks. No child will be allowed to work unsupervised with adults who have not been security checked. The safety of children on visits or working off-site is covered in more detail in the school’s Educational Visits Policy.
Security of Staff
The security of the staff is the responsibility of the Headteacher and the Governors. A separate Lone Working Policy covers the key aspects of staff safety.
Security of the Building
Only the Headteacher/ deputy headteacher and Premises staff (and those letting the building) have access to the building after hours. They have keys and the main security code. The details of these keyholders are held by the Police, Alarm Company and the LA. The code number of the building will be changed every 2 years, or at a time when a significant change in staff occurs. This is to ensure the security of the building. Any new member of staff who requires access to the school after hours will be given an induction to the use of the keys and the alarm.
Lettings
The school lets its buildings to a church, scout group, theatre group and holiday camp company. The premises manager trains a manager of each group to lock and unlock the building during their periods of rental. Each group must supply the school with its insurance documents prior to the approval of the let, see more in the school’s lettings policy. Where a let is short term, a member of the premises team must be present. During these times all classrooms that are not in use by a group are locked.
Alarm System and Intruders
The alarm system is linked to the Police. ADT will contact one of the main key holders if it is set off outside school hours. The intruder alarm does not function between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm.
Security of Equipment
All items of equipment in the school are the property of the school and as such must be kept well-maintained and secure at all times. If a member of staff wishes to borrow a piece of equipment, full details must be recorded in the logbook, kept in the office. If the item is dropped or damaged whilst it is in the possession of the member of staff, details of the accident must be noted in the book and the Headteacher informed. All equipment of significant value is recorded in an inventory. Where possible high value items are locked away in secure stores at the end of school.
Administration Procedures
Confidential records of staff and pupils will be locked in a secure place. Any confidential paper work will be put away when the office is left unattended. Staff will make another member of the office staff aware if they are leaving money on their desk. If the office will be unattended, then money must be locked away. All money coming into school must be sent promptly to the school office for recording and safekeeping. Money will be banked regularly to ensure that only small sums are left in the school safe. Banking will be carried out on different days, and at different times to prevent a predictable routine being observed. A limit of £1,000 may be taken by one person to the bank. Amounts in excess of this will require two people.