More schools are recognising the importance of security guards, particularly in urban areas where the risk of safety concerns such as break-ins for students is higher.

While not every school requires a security presence, this article will help you determine whether your institution could benefit from hiring security personnel to enhance safety and create a secure environment for both students and staff.

What Risks Are There In Schools?

Schools are busy environments, often filled with students, staff, and visitors. This means they can become more vulnerable to crime. Some of the most common security threats within a school are:

• Vandalism
• Knife crime
• Break-ins
• Theft
• Violence
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Bullying

Do Schools Have Security Guards?

Yes, many schools choose to employ security guards to ensure safety and deter crime. Security officers provide a visible and strong security presence, which often puts criminals off targeting the building.

These professionals are hired across a range of educational settings, including colleges, universities, primary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Their roles often vary depending on the specific needs of the school but always focus on maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone.

What Will The Guards Do?

The main role of security measures in schools is to ensure that both the staff and pupils are kept safe. Security guards also improve the safety of the building, especially when it’s left empty overnight and during weekends.

With school security guard services, you can prevent unlawful access to the site. Guards can monitor entrances and control access points to the school. Another typical duty is carrying out regular, random patrols during the day and evening to ensure the premises remain safe.

You could also install CCTV in and around the building. School security officers can then be used to respond to any incidents caught on camera.

This leads us to another key consideration as to whether security guards should be in schools. With their expertise and training, they can handle situations involving angry or volatile students and visitors effectively.

Security guards are trained to diffuse tense situations, detain anyone if necessary and make sure that everyone feels safe. Their presence can help reduce property damage and minimise threatening or violent behavior toward staff and students.

How To Be A Security Guard At A School?

To become a security guard in a school, you must meet several key requirements. These include:

• Having a first aid qualification.
• Passing a background check.
• Being at least 18 years old.
• Having a valid SIA security guard licence.
• Having an enhanced DBS certificate.
• Having the right to work in the location you intend to work in.

How Much Do School Security Guards Get Paid?

In the UK, security guard salaries can vary based on the school type and location. For example, school security guards in primary and secondary schools typically earn between £10 and £11 per hour. However, university campus security officers tend to earn more, with an average annual salary of around £25,000.​

Are School Security Guards Armed?

A common question asked about school security guards is whether they are allowed to be armed. And well, this will often depend on the area that a guard is working in. Some schools in America will allow guards to be armed. However, in the UK it is impossible for armed security to work in schools due to the UK’s strict laws on firearms.

Whether school security guards are armed depends on the country and local laws. In the United States, some schools permit armed guards, particularly in areas with heightened security concerns.

However, in the UK, security guards in schools are not armed due to strict firearm regulations. The UK’s gun laws prohibit private security from carrying firearms in educational settings or elsewhere. This distinction highlights the differences in security practices between countries and the emphasis on alternative methods for maintaining safety in UK schools.

Should Security Officers Be Armed?

In the UK, private security officers, including those working in schools, are not permitted to carry firearms due to the country’s strict gun control laws. This ensures that no debate is needed about whether school security guards should be armed, as the law explicitly prevents it.

Instead, UK security officers use non-lethal tools and strategies to maintain a safe environment, such as surveillance systems, controlled access, and their professional training to de-escalate conflicts.

Would You Feel Safer With Armed Guards Patrolling Your School?

In the UK, the question of armed guards patrolling schools isn’t applicable due to the strict laws on what security guards can carry. While armed security is more common in American schools, the concept divides opinion.

Some people find that armed guards offer reassurance as they are more prepared to deal with any potential security situation. However, other people worry that armed guards may cause potential harm and could appear scary to children.

Ultimately, in regions where armed security is permitted, the decision depends on the preferences and policies of the school. In the UK, the focus remains on non-lethal methods to ensure safety, such as skilled guards and security cameras.

Are School Security Guards Allowed To Touch You?

School security guards, like any member of the public, are allowed to use reasonable force when necessary to protect themselves or others. This includes physical restraint in situations where it’s essential to prevent harm.

As part of their training, security guards learn techniques for safely restraining individuals to minimise risk to all parties involved. If a situation escalates, they’re also authorised to detain individuals until law enforcement arrives to take over. These measures ensure that guards always adhere to legal and ethical standards.

Should Security Guards Be In Schools?

Having effective security measures in schools is crucial for creating a safe environment. Security guards can play a significant role by providing a strong on-site presence. This emphasises to potential criminals that the building is well protected and helps reassure everyone on site.

Schools are often left empty during nights and holidays. This can make them vulnerable to break-ins and theft. Employing security guards to patrol during these periods significantly reduces these risks, and ensures the site remains protected.

Why Are They Needed?

School security services are typically employed to prioritise the safety of students and staff. For parents and guardians, knowing that trained security officers are present provides reassurance and peace of mind about their children’s well-being.

This added layer of protection contributes to a secure and peaceful environment for learning.

Why Is Having Security Guards In School Important?

Having a security guard in public schools is important as it can make the environment feel safer and reduce the risk of incidents. There are increasing complaints in educational establishments about bullying, with other issues, which can have an impact on well-being and academic achievement.

Security guards can patrol and protect a school campus and the pupil and staff within it. This means that the campus is well-guarded during the day when pupils are present and at night when it may be a target for break-ins or vandalism.

Security guards will spend a lot of their time patrolling the buildings to ensure that there are no issues or security breaches. Schools with security guards are less likely to be the target of crime as they are a deterrent to criminals. This can save the school money over time as they will not need to repair as much damage to the property.

What Are The Benefits Of Security Guards In Schools?

There are many advantages to having school security guard services in place:

• Emergency Response:
  Security personnel can effectively manage emergency situations. They’ll use their training to maintain order and ensure safety while staying calm under pressure.
• First Aid Assistance:
  Many security guards are trained in first aid and can provide immediate care to injured or unwell people until medical professionals arrive.
• Safe Escorting:
  Guards can escort students, staff, and visitors to safety if the area becomes dangerous. This crucial aspect highlights why the question of should security guards be in school is so important.
• Coordination with Authorities:
  Security officers are trained to communicate with law enforcement when incidents require police involvement. This helps to streamline the response process.
• Reassurance for Parents and Students:
  The presence of security guards helps instills confidence in parents and promotes a secure atmosphere for both students and staff.

By limiting the impact of potential incidents and safeguarding the premises from intruders, security guards contribute significantly to the overall well-being of the school community.

How Can We Improve School Security?

There are many options for you to consider when it comes to security measures in schools. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your school safe.:

• Security Patrols: Regular patrols, both within the school and on its grounds, help maintain security. The presence of security officers acts as a deterrent and ensures any incidents are handled, quickly and professionally.
• Install CCTV: Surveillance cameras can put off criminals from targeting the building. CCTV also helps monitor behavior, whether it’s protecting against intruders or addressing disruptive students. Security guards can monitor the footage in real time to address issues as soon as they arise.
• Control Access Points: Limiting entry to the school by securing all access points ensures that only authorised individuals can enter. Fewer entry points monitored by security staff allow the school to track everyone entering and exiting the premises.

These school security services are crucial for maintaining a safe environment and reducing risks.

Should Security Guards Be In Schools?- The Final Answer

Although school security guards are less common in the UK, they can be a valuable asset in ensuring a school’s protection. Many schools with security personnel have found that guards can effectively prevent theft and protect school property.

For more insights into the latest security guard trends and news, check out our blog. We cover topics such as what equipment do guards use and how much do security officers cost?