It has been widely reported that attacks on school staff by pupils have been on the rise in recent years, with nearly half (48%) of teachers reporting that their school’s behaviour policy is not effective or “fit for purpose”, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union.
What is the solution to this troubling problem? Schools need to ensure they have robust staff safety systems in place to protect their employees and the children in their care.
Keep reading for Pinpoint’s expert insight into safety systems for schools and how Pinpoint products and services can help safeguard against potential incidents.
What systems are needed?
Because of the fast-paced nature of a school environment, it is essential that the safety systems in place can cope with rapidly changing situations that often arise out of the blue.
When working with pupils with additional learning needs, behaviour can quickly escalate to the extent that additional assistance is needed. Safety solutions need to be fast, robust and reliable.
Moreover, school safety solutions must be hard-wearing and resistant to general wear and tear, and more deliberate tampering. Any alarms must also be subtle, in case they trigger a further reaction from the student causing the disturbance.
The solution to school staff attacks
Luckily, Pinpoint offers safety solutions that can help mitigate the threat of attacks on school staff.
Pinpoint’s P2 system is based on 30 years of experience, offering a powerful safety solution for schools where staff require a rapid response. The system is lightning-fast, taking less than 85 milliseconds from activation of the alarm to displaying the exact location to other communication devices.
With its discreet design, the P2 System is ideal for schools, where obvious alarm systems may make students feel uneasy or agitated. Concealed within an ID badge or clipped onto a waistband, the subtle design of the alarm prevents unnecessary disruption in the classroom.
The P2 System also stands up to hard-wearing school environments. Incorporating anti-vandal materials that will withstand tampering or abuse from pupils, its durable exterior ensures that the safety system remains operational and effective.
Another advantage for schools is that the P2 System can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure, such as CCTV. This negates the need for the purchase of an entirely new software system, with P2 slotting seamlessly into a school’s existing set-up.
The Pinpoint system in action
We have helped many schools to level up their on-site safety. One of these is Carrongrange High School, which is Scotland’s only purpose-built secondary school for pupils with moderate, severe and complex additional support needs.
As a specialist school environment, Carrongrange required a system that would allow staff to call for help at a moment’s notice - empowering teachers to carry out their job with ease.
Spanning the school’s two floors, across 32 classrooms and other areas including the gym, the swimming and hydrotherapy pool, and all outdoor areas, the alarm network offers full coverage for the school.
Since its installation, the system has become a vital facet of school life, with alarms activated up to ten times a day. Even when there is no need for an alarm, school staff feel safer in their work environment, knowing help can be summoned in any situation at the push of a button.
With incidents of violence against staff showing no signs of abating within schools, sadly the need for safety systems is ever-growing. By providing staff with the reassurance of support in the case of emergency situations, security systems, like Pinpoints, go a long way to creating a safer working environment.
Are you looking for a security system for your school? Get in touch with us to discuss your school safety needs.