Background: Alltype Fencing Specialists Ltd were appointed following a CIF-funded tender package for a school in Halstead. The project was developed to improve site security, safeguarding and access control, while also preventing pupils and parents from using the access road as a pedestrian route. The school also required a safer arrival area, improved pedestrian flow and new access control throughout the main building.

Solution: Following the successful tender and confirmation of funding, Alltype took on the design responsibility for the fencing, gates, pedestrian access arrangements, access control and external CCTV elements of the project. We held an initial consultation with the school to review their safeguarding concerns, site layout and day-to-day operational requirements. Together, we agreed the most suitable fence type, fence lines and access arrangements, taking into account the age of the pupils, previous site issues and how parents and children were currently entering and leaving the school.

A key concern was that parents and pupils were using the access road as a walkway due to the lack of a suitable pedestrian route. The existing approach created a clear safety risk, with narrow surrounding pavements causing parents to congregate close to, or within, the road. As part of the works, we helped create a safer pedestrian route and internal congregational area within the school grounds, encouraging parents and pupils to remain safely inside the school boundary and away from the road.

The project also included a significant access control and security upgrade. The school previously had limited control over external and internal access points, so we installed a Paxton Net2 system across the building and to selected external gates. In addition, we installed external CCTV to provide full coverage of the site externally, improving visibility, monitoring and overall site security.

Alltype acted as Principal Contractor for the fencing, access control, CCTV and associated works, while also managing a separate contractor carrying out additional works on site. This included reviewing their RAMS and coordinating their activities within our site arrangements. During the project, we identified and worked around existing services, adapting the installation where required. The end result was a safer, more secure school environment, with improved pedestrian management, stronger access control, enhanced external monitoring and a very satisfied client.