School security - a bolter...

[NoPinkPlease]

Hi
(Reposted from education)

My ds (4.7) has speech and language delay due to glue ear. There is a ? over possible asd, but certainly there are social interaction issues going on at the moment. He's also a bolter with little or no awareness of road safety right now. Obviously we've been worried about him starting school in September and we didn't get our first choice (we were surprised), but got our second. I hadn't seen the school but dp had and it has a good reputation for SN and all round.

Anyway, before the annual review at nursery re top up funding with new school SENCO I went to look round. Lovely school in lots of ways and SENCO seemed ok. But... in the early years section, there was an outdoor play area which looked great but had only 2 low gates with bolts at waist height. I thought that ds would get through those in about 3 seconds, but thought well, he'd only get out into the school playing field so no big problem. I mentioned it to the SENCO and she looked a bit concerned and explained that the playing field led right round the school to the main gate which wasn't kept locked. Ds is pretty speedy and doesn't look back, I reckon in about 90 seconds he could be off the premises. His language delay means it's impossible to be sure he's got that he shouldn't go somewhere.

The SENCO seemed to get this and suggested a higher fence around the early years section, which is great. But at break and lunch, when they are free to play in the grounds, he could easily run off. and there would be around 480 kids all over the place so not easily kept an eye on. I'm feeling really unhappy about sending him there now and wondering how I make a huge fuss about the whole security of the place. And I then thought how mad it was that they have brand spanking new state of the ate signing in system with photos and badges at reception but that anyone could walk up the main drive, go round the playing fields and be able to get to the early years playground.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your views on what I should do... anyone faced anything similar or experience of the security in other schools would be appreciated. Sorry it's so long.

Most/all? schools have a completely secure perimeter/playground so there is no way a child could just run off.

For example at my DS's school, the only way in and out of the school after drop off and before the end of the day is through the school itself and the front door is locked (the reception faces it so that the admin staff can electronically unlock it to let adults in/out.

I am shocked at the level of security that you describe in this school. Surely they should have a locked front gate with an entry buzzer / exit button in the reach of adults only.

I agree. Our playground is only open to the road at drop off and pick up and then locked. The only way out during the day is through reception through two doors with high up buttons to open the door.

I can't quite picture it. Are there no fences around the playing fields?

Thanks - your messages are making me feel much less weird.

The school has large grounds all around the buildings. There are perimeter fences all around but the main gate is open all day. So you could go out of the back of the school where the early years playground is and go right around the outside of the school to the driveway leading to the main gate.

I just can't believe it's like that. I know most kids wouldn't run off and weirdos aren't on every corner trying to get in but not worth the risk in my view...

Our DS2 is a runner with no sense of safety. Day 3 of reception he managed to get out of a school side gate and into the carpark leading to the main street. Thankfully he was spotted and stopped immediately. The next day the school put a padlock on that side gate and it is now kept locked during school hours. There are also red "stop" signs on the all gates in the playground area (even though they are locked) as a visual deterrent as well - just part of an ongoing effort to help DS2 realise some things are off limits (still a work in progress ).

DS2 has 1:1 FT at the school, and they are very aware of the security there because of this. Any playtimes on the playground he is monitored by a TA. We sent in two fine net vests (high visibility) that are pull-over with elastic (purchased from Wilkinson's for about 60p each or so), purchased in a large enough size to go over his jacket or school uniform. They pop this on him just before he goes out onto the playground. This way, even though there is someone watching him specifically, in a sea of one colour uniforms, he stands out easily. So if they lose sight of him for even a second, they can locate him quickly. It works brilliantly, and we've been told that it has made all the difference on the playground.

If you are concerned about an unlocked gate, insist that they lock it during the school day. Any safety concerns at all, bring up and be very clear to the headteacher about the possibility of him getting off school property.

Hi-vis jacket is a good idea, so long as he's happy to wear it.

I have worked at a number of schools in my town and the difference in security at them is amazing. One school had high security fences and is virtually impregnable, another has country style wooden bar fences that anyone could climb, a third had no fences around it's school field, but said 'it has never been a problem before,' (it was once my DS started there!!) It now has 5 foot 'pretty' metal railings that are secure and locked gates with an entry system, but not until my DS had left to go to secondary school.

It might be that the security of the site would be a good reason to appeal for your first choice school. (If the security there is any better.) Primary Education board has some great appeal experts if that's your course.

Hi nopink
I work in a special secondary school and all our "runners" (some of whom are 6 foot + lads who can get over pretty much any fence) wear high vis vests (some tied at the front so they can't be pulled off!) like Triggles describes. This helps any member of staff who sees them unattended as they know this means they have slipped away. Our runners all have 1:1 funding so they are never more than 1 metre away from a TA.

We also have a very strict door shutting/locking/guarding when open policy plus carabiner clasps and chains on all internal gates.

There are plenty of schools that do not have a high fence and fort knox security. I too would question if they were the right schools for a bolter.

Keep on asking awkward questions, you know your child better than a senco or teacher who have not had 4 years with him already. If your not happy, tell them and suggest solutions, then pester pester pester.