security at school

[luciemule]

My DDs primary school have just added a keypad-type lock to the 2nd door in the main office foyer so the secretary pushes a button to let you through into the main hall and school yet the back gates of the school are always open and so is the door to the reception classes and the rest of the school. Although teachers know where the kids are during class time, at breaks they can come and go into the loos as they please so anyone could have come through the back gates, walked through the outside door and lurked waiting for th children to pop in. I've already approached the school in writing when they asked parents to write if they had any worries or concerns but now I'm thinking about writing again. It's mad having the one lock at the front but not anywhere else. Do you think I should write to the governors or to the head again first?
What is security like at other primary schools? I'd prefer to have to be viewed by a camera and then buzzed in to be honest.

Well our school is completely closed in and only accessable to the public via the school office. Like yours, you can get into the office, but no further without office staff 'buzzing' you in. The main gates on the staff car park are also electric and cannot be opened unless you press the buzzer and state your business!
If, as you say, the school has just fitted this lock, maybe the other door is next. Unfortunately, there will probably be a lot of paper work and red tape for the Head to sort before she has the money Ok'ed. They have a budget for everything and have to spend it wisely. Not right, I know, but thats the way it works. It worth writing again though, as the least they can do is acknowledge your concerns.

I now think that our school is really slack on security and what's made me even more mad is the fact they're raising 1000's of pounds to fix the swimming pool yet can't even put a buzzer system on the fron and rear gates!!! How daft is that?

It's quite typical in my recent experience. It's a good idea to ask other parents who are concerned to write or phone in too, but to present it as their own independent concern. If the school needs to show evidence that the security improvement is necessary, they need to have a number of requests on file (but not a petition or something that looks like a campaign). Another option is to talk to a school parent governor, and to one of the community governors, so you get 2 sides of the issue represented. You should get their names on the school website/ info pack.