Should Schools have Security Guards?Should Schools have Security Guards?
It is vitally important that schools have the right amount of security to protect staff, pupils, and visitors from coming to harm.
No-one could possibly disagree with this, and it is no surprise that security is made such a big priority at most modern schools and educational institutions.
However, whilst it is universally accepted that schools so need some form of security, do they really need the presence of uniform security guards to keep pupils safe?
Well, in America the picture is very different to how it is in the UK for obvious and devastating reasons with metal detectors, armed security guards, perimeter fencing more akin to an army base than a place of learning.
Do UK schools have security guards?
In the UK, things are a bit more low-key but all of these measures, with the exception of armed guards are in place in SOME schools across the country.
Security guards in particular are growing in popularity in schools and colleges and it is easy to see why.
Safe in the knowledge that they are protected against external threats, and internal threats such as bullying and physical attacks, pupils are able to focus on their school work with academic security guards nearby.
For staff and school management, the presence of local security guards is equally reassuring and some teachers will now refuse to work if security guards are not on-site as they feel their safety is in jeopardy.
There are some questions about whether the presence of security guards may make pupils feel uneasy, but they tend to be positioned around the entrance to the school and around the perimeter and will rarely be seen inside during the school day.
What are the benefits of hiring security guards?
Support the emergency services in the event of school emergencies
Should there be an emergency situation such as a fire alarm at a school, college, or university, it is the security guards job to work with the fire brigade, or any other emergency service, for that matter, to inform them about the situation.
They will also be tasked with overseeing the evacuation of the premises and taking an attendance in some situations. Keeping students out of harms way is always the top priority of a security guard in a school setting, no matter what the situation is.
Finally, whilst they are not in physical attendance most of the time, parents are some of the biggest beneficiaries of security guarding in schools.
Given recent events, many parents are understandably nervous about sending their children off to school each day.
With security officers and other security measures such as CCTV, fencing, and metal detectors in place, they can rest a bit easier, safe in the knowledge that everything possible is being done to protect their loved ones.
Overall there are both pros and cons of having security guards in school settings but the overall consensus is that it is a positive thing and if just one potential attack or serious situation is prevented then it was all worth it.