Schools: Security
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all schools have effective (a) fencing, (b) access control systems, (c) CCTV and (d) other perimeter security measures to prevent unauthorised access to school premises in (i) Essex and (ii) nationally.
Answered by Josh MacAlister
Responsibility for the school estate lies with responsible bodies such as local authorities, academy trusts, or charitable trustees.
The department’s 'Good estate management for schools' guidance, alongside more detailed 'Site security' guidance, outlines best practice for perimeter security and access control.
Capital funding for school buildings will rise to £2.1 billion in 2025/26, increasing to around £2.3 billion by 2029/30. Essex County Council received £9.3 million for its maintained schools, with other responsible bodies also allocated funding. Smaller trusts and colleges may bid into the Condition Improvement Fund.
The department’s ‘Protective security and preparedness for education settings’ and ‘School and college security’ guidance supports settings to assess vulnerabilities and ensure safe environments.
Ofsted expects compliance with safeguarding but does not inspect site security specifically.
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