It’s nothing new. It’s just much, much worse.
In the 70s my Jewish primary school looked like any other school. A chain link fence around the playground and a 5ft high playground gate that was locked between drop off and pickup. The driveway gates were left open and visitors could walk right into the school from that side. A big sign on the outside, announcing the school’s name and the Headmaster’s name.
My older sibling and I used to have stones thrown at us as we walked home in our ordinary uniforms with the Star of David on the school badge.
A few years later, when our younger siblings attended that school, the playground fence was solid, the gate was the height of the fence, the driveway gates were closed, and the school doors were on entryphone.
Today, you wouldn’t know there was a school there. There is no sign giving the name of the school. What schools in the UK don’t have their names and something about them on a board at their entrance? The entire site is surrounded by a 10ft fence (I believe you have to get planning permission for anything over 6ft), plus another 8ft of netting. The netting doesn’t just serve to keep balls in the grounds. Tell me, what’s the problem with a member of staff or a sensible student nipping out to fetch a ball that goes over? It also serves to prevent projectiles being thrown into the playground. The gates, too, are solid, high barriers with entryphones. CCTV covers the entire perimeter and all possible entry points.
If you went to view a prospective school for your child you would be horrified to see this fortress. The Jewish families are reassured by it.