How to Keep a School Safe for Students
A school's responsibility is to commit to strong safety measures to ensure the safety of students. Most schools have hundreds of students to look after, so keeping everyone safe in and around the school can be challenging. It's as much about school design and building layout as physical security measures, security technology, and supporting emotional well-being.
Here is how to keep a school safe for students.
Conduct an Internal School Risk Assessment
Identify vulnerabilities in your school's safety and on school grounds. Assess physical threats. Consider where you are weak and reconcile your findings with your security budget as you develop a comprehensive safety plan.
Create a School Security And Safety Committee
Consider constituting a safety committee that can include students, parents, teachers, and staff to oversee a safety plan for your school. This will allow you to receive insights from various perspectives as you plan your security infrastructure.
Have Clear Safety Protocols That Staff Are Trained On
Every school should have protocols and response planning to handle emergencies, such as evacuations, lockdowns, active shooter responses, and medical or mental health emergencies. Ensure staff are familiar with and trained on these protocols to be able to direct them.
AI Weapon Detection System & Metal Detectors
Metal detectors are invasive and require time to complete an assessment. Multiple studies have shown that they do not effectively prevent school violence or increase safety. In many cases, students feel less safe and stigmatized by the presence of metal detectors.
As an alternative, AI weapon detection systems are non-invasive, work quickly, and are designed to identify concealed weapons. The AI weapon detection system is a better choice for schools and does not carry the stigmatization of metal detectors.
Educate Teachers and Staff On Security Infrastructure
Ensure teachers understand how to use your security infrastructure. An effective security system includes intrusion detection alerts, discreetly installed panic buttons, mechanical security hardware that teachers can use during an incident, and more. Ensure they all understand the various security solutions for schools.
Conduct Emergency Drills For Students To Learn
Practice lockdowns, evacuations, and shelter-in-place scenarios. Ensure students are trained in these drills and understand what to do in an emergency. Reinforce these instructions by encouraging age-appropriate classroom discussions on safety and security.
Inspect Routes Surrounding The School
As students move in and out of the school, inspect the safety of school routes. Ensure footpaths are clear and in safe condition. Identify obstacles and difficulties that could divert students to utilizing more dangerous paths.
Control Your School's Access Points
Limit the number of entrances to the school. Use electronic locks or secure doors with access control to cut off access in other parts of the school. Monitor all entries and exits with surveillance cameras and log visitors. For visitors, ensure they sign in and provide them with ID badges.
Hire Trained Security Personnel
How you use security guards is a matter of debate. Guards can contribute to feelings of a lack of security for some students, so use them sparingly. Having security guards trained in conflict resolution on school grounds ensures a fast response to any emergency.
Install Surveillance Cameras
Cameras in hallways, entrances, and playgrounds can keep your school visible 24/7. Authorized personnel can sign in and monitor activities in real time. This footage can also be utilized in a security incident requiring investigation. Surveillance cameras work well with AI threat detection solutions, allowing you to maximize your security coverage.
Perimeter Fencing Keeps Students Safe
Perimeter security is an underrated aspect of school security. Installing fences or gates around school grounds makes it harder for students to exit in potentially dangerous areas. It also increases the difficulty of security threats trying to access a school.
Ensure Adequate Lighting
Install lights so that dark, isolated areas can be seen at night. Motion-activated lighting is an effective way to conserve energy and can also be synced to activate other security features, such as cameras.
Implement Anti-Bullying Initiatives
Take prompt corrective action when bullying occurs. In many cases, the person bullying and the student being bullied both require some form of mental health support. Encourage anonymous reporting of bullying incidents and work to educate the student population on empathy and respect for others.
Set Up Anonymous Reporting
Some students hesitate to come forward when they see something that should be reported. Implement an anonymous reporting system. Accept tips by text, app, phone call, or mail. Act swiftly in response to credible reports.
Provide Accessible Mental Health Supports
Students struggling with stress and anxiety, trauma, mental health disorders, and bullying can pose a threat to school communities. Offer mental health counselling and support. Identify students who may require added attention. Seek ways to mitigate negative behaviours and treat student struggles before they develop into violent responses or actions that breach security.
Frequently Update School Policies
Regularly evaluate your school safety policy, reflect on new technologies, and analyze whether new initiatives and processes are required to eliminate security gaps maintained in your school safety plan.
