Managing and controlling access to school property is a vital part of ensuring the safety of both pupils and staff.
Guidance from the UK government outlines key facets of access control and security measures that should be implemented by schools and academies and says "good access control is essential to the security of the school during the school day."
So what types of access control and security should schools, colleges and academies utilise — and how can Tensor help?
Identification and access control in schools
School staff must all wear ID badges, and visitors must be accompanied by staff at all times. You can streamline your processes by using individual smartcards to combine staff identification with access control and visitor identification and monitoring systems.
Each smartcard can have its access control settings set individually or as part of a group, allowing access to specific areas, and at specific times, as required. They can be tracked at each access point, not only providing real-time updates of staff locations, but this also provides an accurate history of movements for audit or safety purposes should it be required.
What's more, smartcards can also be used to accurately monitor employee attendance, further simplifying time and attendance monitoring for schools and streamlining HR, admin and payroll processes.
Using access control throughout school buildings can also provide additional security, particularly for secure storage areas and IT suites, which the government advice says should be "thoroughly secured". Access to certain areas can be restricted to specific members of staff, and the Tensor system will record each person's access to provide in-depth reporting.
The smartcard attendance and access control system can also be extended to pupils (including integrating with Capita SIMS), which can provide additional security and access control by limiting their movements around the school site, as well as registering their location and attendance.
The system can also send notifications if any staff or pupils are absent, alerting administrators to take necessary action.
Intercoms for school entrances
Government guidance states that access control should be used on school main entrance doors, "incorporating an intercom and visual verification" to confirm the identity of visitors when they arrive.
Tensor's robust intercoms combine a traditional number keypad with smartcard readers and cameras incorporating facial recognition. This allows schools to set access rights for staff (and pupils, if desired) whilst also being able to check the identities of visitors.
School visitor sign-in
Visitors to schools and academies should sign in and always be accompanied — for their own safety as well as that of pupils and staff. Using Tensor's Self-Service Visitor Management (SSVM) App can streamline and simplify the process, providing an easy way for visitors to book in for their appointment, automatically notify the person they are meeting, and add them to the fire roll-call list.
The SSVM supports multiple visitor types, has the option to modify the check-in steps for each type, and can also print visitor badges, which, if desired, can be allocated access rights according to the purpose of their visit.
Restricting school access with barriers and ANPR
Together with a secure gate lock and "secure fences or railings" over 2m high, integrating intercoms with barriers and gates can provide an additional level of access control and security for schools and academies. Linking barrier operability to access control systems not only provides easy access for authorised persons but it also keeps track of who has entered school premises, and the time they leave.
Additional school site security can be implemented through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at car park entrances. ANPR can track the vehicles arriving on site, and can be integrated with the access control system and barriers to grant access only to registered vehicles.
CCTV for school safety
In addition to a monitored alarm, schools and academies must have a CCTV system with "clear facial recognition in order to identify an offender". The Government's Site Security Guidance suggests the key areas for CCTV coverage are "entrances, IT suites, offices, locations with little natural surveillance and circulation areas."
Tensor provides extensive CCTV solutions for schools, which can include ANPR and facial recognition, and integrates with access control systems to provide comprehensive security with detailed reporting and historical footage. Remote CCTV Monitoring is also an option, where suspicious immediately activity alerts a 24/7 monitoring station and action can be taken as necessary.
Evacuating school premises
In the event of an emergency and the school needs to be evacuated, Tensor's door controls include internal push glass panels and door releases to ensure safe exit out of the building whilst keeping entry secure.
In addition, Tensor's Fire Roll Call app can simplify the emergency roll-call process and provide a quick and convenient way to check who is on site and if anyone is unaccounted for. Staff, students and visitors who are registered on the school's time and attendance system will be logged into the Fire Roll Call app, and their location will be recorded throughout their time on site whenever they use an access control point. Should an emergency arise and the fire alarm rings, the app reports a list of everyone on site and their last known location. Integrating the app with Tensor's HR and admin systems can also provide the function of calling any missing staff directly via the app to confirm their safety status.
How Martyn's Law applies to schools
As of April 2025 (and expected to be fully enforced in 2027), Martyn's Law adds additional requirements for schools to consider regarding safety of pupils, staff and visitors. Sites used for childcare and primary, secondary and further education must follow the requirements under the Standard Tier for the Law; namely, that they must have an appropriate "reasonably practicable" plan in place to reduce the risk of harm in the event of a terrorist attack.
More details are available on our blog about Martyn's Law; or read more specific information about how Martyn's Law will affect education settings on GOV.UK.
No matter the size or access control needs of your school, college or academy, Tensor can provide an integrated, modular system that will meet your requirements. Talk to us today to find out more.
Quotes and information from Department For Education Site security guidance - GOV.UK.
