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With the start of a fresh academic year, schools and colleges throughout the UK are facing significant security and safety challenges. Read on to learn more.
Schools and colleges throughout the UK are facing a complex and ever-changing range of significant security challenges. The primary function of our schools and colleges is to provide learning and development, but this can be inhibited by the many threats and risks these essential establishments need to deal with.
Prohibited Items
The list of items prohibited in schools and colleges obviously includes weapons such as knives. But there are other items that can cause distraction, annoyance and disruption and schools need to remain very vigilant to be aware of growing trends.
Mobile Phones
Most schools have very clear rules regarding prohibited items such as mobile phones, vapes and e-cigarettes. Some schools issue pupils with lockable pouches for their mobile phones which they keep sealed throughout the school day. And some schools have totally banned pupils from bringing their phones into school.
In early 2024 the Department for Education (DfE) issued official guidance, telling schools in England that they were required to prohibit mobile phone use throughout the day, presenting schools with a significant enforcement challenge.
Vapes and E-Cigarettes
The use of vapes and e-cigarettes in schools is a widespread and growing problem. Vaping is recognised as a significant public health concern with unknown long-term consequences for young people. And there are known to be links between the supply of illegal vapes to children and organised county lines drug activity. Students vaping in school toilets, outdoor areas and changing rooms, causes significant disruption and discipline challenges for educators and the small size of vaping devices makes them very difficult to detect.
Some schools have resorted to installing vape detector devices in toilets, at significant cost. When first installed, vape detection devices in some schools have been triggered from 17-22 times every day.
Other Banned Items
The list of items banned from UK schools isn’t restricted to mobile phones and vapes. New trends and threats mean schools and colleges need to be continuously vigilant to identify items that might cause disruption, harm or fear.
Energy drinks, for example, are amongst the most widely banned items in schools. The primary reasons for the ban are due to behaviour and health concerns. Energy drinks contain high concentrations of caffeine and sugar, both linked to high levels of anxiety, restlessness, irritability and the crashing mental impact when the effects wear off. Regular consumption of these concoctions is linked to obesity, heart palpitations, sleep disruption and dental erosion. Evidence indicates a clear negative link between energy drink consumption and student attitudes and achievement.
Laser pointers and pens are widely banned for safety reasons. Even brief direct exposure to a laser beam can cause permanent eye damage. Students sometimes ‘play’ with laser pointers in class, distracting other students and disrupting lessons. If a laser pointer is directed at the driver of a vehicle the impact can be disastrous.
Matches, lighters and fire lighting tools are banned in most schools. The reason for the ban is obviously the risk of causing a fire. Children are often fascinated by fire so they need to be educated to understand the risks.
Alcohol and illegal substances are always banned. Educational establishments have clear legal and safeguarding responsibilities toward students and staff. Any suspicion that a student may be under the influence of, or carrying alcohol or drugs, is treated very seriously.
Inappropriate literature, imagery and media are banned to protect students from exposure to age-inappropriate content that can cause distress. This ban includes what are defined as adult magazines, extremist literature that promotes discriminatory views, graphic content depicting violence or harm along with gang related material.
Certain toys are also subject to bans.
Fidget spinners, for example, were widely banned due to the distraction they caused in classrooms. And back in the 1970s “clackers” were banned from schools due to the noise they made and injury risk caused by shattering balls and bashing knuckles and wrists. Schools need to be constantly vigilant to identity new, trending playthings that can be both dangerous and distracting.
Knives, Sharp Objects and Offensive Weapons
The fear of knife crime is a primary concern for schools and educational establishments. There has been a notable increase in the number of incidents involving pupils carrying knives or bladed items into schools. A recent survey revealed that one in five secondary school teachers have seen students carrying knives. In West Yorkshire, for example, there were more than 100 reports of weapons in schools, involving under 18 year olds, between September 2022 and September 2023.
The risk of weapons in schools is having a significantly detrimental impact on learning experiences and outcomes. Only 39% of English school pupils say they feel safe every day in school.
Read our previous post on knife crime.
Cyber Security and Data Protection
As well as dealing with the physical threats of weapons, drugs and alcohol in schools, educational establishments are frequently the target of cyber attacks and data breaches. The 2025 “Cyber Security Breaches Survey” discovered that 16% of secondary schools and 9% of primary schools reported breaches or attacks every week.
During the half term break, in June 2024, Billericay School, in Essex, declared a “critical incident” after IT systems were compromised in a cyber attack. All of the schools IT systems were made inaccessible and encrypted and it is reported that pupil’s personal details, including names, addresses and medical notes, may have been accessed.
There are many reported incidents of phishing and ransomware attacks on UK schools and educational establishments. Some have lost significant amounts of money along with secured, personal data on students and staff. Essential IT systems are put entirely out of action by these attacks, compromising ongoing educational objectives.
Basic Rules and Policies
The security and safety challenges outlined here are only a small fraction of what schools and educational establishments need to contend with. They must also deal with fire safety, building security, safe and secure storage of valuable equipment and much more.
Most UK schools and educational establishments have strict rules regarding the following:
- Total ban of weapons, knives and bladed items on school premises.
- Ban or restriction of vapes and e-cigarettes.
- Restricted mobile phone use including all-day usage bans and the use of sealed mobile phone pouches.
- “Search on suspicion” policies enabling bags and students to be searched for banned items.
- Use of detection equipment including vape sensors, metal detecting knife arches and metal detecting wands.
- Lockdown drills, intruder drills, premises access restrictions and emergency preparedness procedures.
- Cybersecurity policies for data protection and IT system usage along with staff and pupil training and education.
Mitigation Strategies and Trends
Schools and colleges are responding to the ongoing and developing threat landscape with a multilayered approach.
Building a strong, positive foundation involving trusted staff and excellent pupil and student relationships is recognised as essential. Excellent relationships between staff and students means they are far more likely to report concerns before they become problems.
Ongoing, up-to-date professional training for all staff, covering safeguarding, behaviour management, dealing with mental health first aid and recognising signs of exploitation, is a vital layer for effective school safety and security.
Sensible schools and colleges recognise the need to invest in technology for the safety and security of staff and pupils. Advanced CCTV systems, site access control systems, vape detectors and security metal detection equipment all make a valuable contribution toward making every school and college a safe and secure learning environment.
Carrying out random searches of people and their bags as they enter educational establishments is another practical precaution. The prospect of being randomly selected for a search acts as a powerful deterrent, discouraging students from bringing any banned items into school. Random search selector devices ensure non-biased, objective selection without any risk of being accused of favouritism or prejudice.
Another vital layer is establishing partnerships and working closely with local police forces along with mental health services and local authorities.
Sharing knowledge and intelligence informs ongoing safety and security awareness, enabling the most effective mitigation strategies to be put in place.
Embedding online safety, healthy relationships and mental wellbeing into Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) helps students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for their health, safety and life.
If you have any questions about security metal detectors, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 092921 and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.
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