Do Your School Gates Meet Modern Safeguarding Standards?
20 June 2025
Safeguarding in schools has evolved significantly over the past decade, and in 2025, expectations around site security are higher than ever. While traditional concerns like supervision and staff vigilance remain essential, educational institutions are increasingly being asked to upgrade their physical security infrastructure - especially around entry points like school gates.
For decision-makers in education, the question is no longer whether to invest in secure perimeters, but whether their current systems meet the latest safeguarding standards.
Why Gate Security Matters For Safeguarding in Schools
There’s no denying it – safeguarding in education is under increasing pressure from external risks. In the UK, several developments have made tighter school security not just a best practice, but a necessity:
1. An Increase in Community-Level Risk
Unfortunately, rising crime levels in some areas, including antisocial behaviour and unauthorised site access, have prompted schools to re-evaluate their perimeters. Gates that were once considered “secure enough” may no longer offer adequate protection from opportunists, intruders or disruptive individuals.
2. Growing Concerns Around Stranger Access
Reports of strangers gaining access to school grounds - either accidentally or deliberately, have pushed the topic of perimeter security further up the safeguarding agenda. Even when no harm is done, these incidents can trigger anxiety among staff, students and parents, and may attract media attention or regulatory scrutiny.
3. Mental Health and Vulnerability Risks
There is also a growing focus on preventing students from leaving the premises unsupervised, especially those deemed vulnerable or at risk. Ensuring students remain safely within school grounds is just as important as keeping unauthorised people out. Secure gates with monitoring and locking systems are essential to both aspects of safeguarding in schools.
4. Regulatory and Parental Expectations Have Shifted
Safeguarding in education is now subject to closer examination by Ofsted and local authorities. Parents and carers are also more aware and more vocal than ever, expecting clear evidence that their child’s school is secure and well-prepared to handle threats. Physical security, especially at the school gate, forms a visible and reassuring part of that picture.
Key Systems That Support Gate Security
1. Access Control Systems
Access control plays a vital role in safeguarding in education, giving schools full control over who can access the site and when. Systems include fob or keycard entry for staff, PIN pads for scheduled visitors and time-controlled locking.
2. CCTV Integration
CCTV helps deter intrusion and supports monitoring, with high-definition, night-vision-enabled footage and AI-driven analytics that can flag unusual behaviours such as loitering or tailgating.
3. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
For schools with vehicle access, ANPR helps control entry and exit, logging all number plates and blocking unknown vehicles unless pre-approved.
4. Video Intercom Systems
Video-enabled intercoms provide visual verification before entry, allowing front-office teams to screen visitors effectively and remotely grant access.
5. Smart Gate Automation
Automated gates offer scheduled operation and emergency lockdown capability. These features are essential for schools looking to respond quickly to safeguarding incidents or threats.
For more education appropriate security system advice, click here.
Staying Compliant in 2025
In line with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance (2024 and beyond), Ofsted inspections continue to review how well school sites are managed from a safeguarding perspective.
Key areas to review include:
Whether all access points are secure at all times
If visitor entry is consistently monitored and logged
Whether perimeter breaches can be identified and responded to quickly
If staff are trained to operate security systems confidently
The goal is to move from reactive safeguarding to proactive prevention - stopping risks before they occur and demonstrating robust, practical systems that support a whole-school approach.
Is It Time to Review Your Gate Security?
If your gates still rely on manual locking, generic key access or outdated intercom systems, you may already be falling short of current expectations. A professional security audit can help assess risks and identify the right technology to suit your site layout, type and daily operations – creating safer schools.
With safeguarding in schools now facing more scrutiny, more risk, and more responsibility than ever, upgrading your gate security is one of the clearest, most visible ways to show your commitment to student safety.
Need help choosing the right security systems for your private educational institution?
A-Plus Security are a NSI Gold Approved company, who provide a range of security installation and maintenance services to help you establish a robust and future-ready position for your premises.
Contact us here or call us on 01702 293157 for a consultation to review and enhance your current security systems.