Plans for new safety measures at Market Drayton school

Plans have been unveiled to install seven CCTV cameras as well as new fencing and gates outside Longlands Primary School in Linden Way, Market Drayton.

It comes after previous incidents where people have been able to gain unauthorised access and damage the schools grounds and facilities.

A statement submitted in support of the application states: "The school is generally in a good state of repair, and has had recently undergone a recent roof and windows replacement scheme, building and site maintenance is of a high standard.

"However, safeguarding, in respect of site security at the school is off a poor condition; allowing for frequent unauthorised access to the site grounds, where individuals have been able to access and damage the schools grounds and facilities.

"In support of effective safeguarding, it is the schools proposal that site security is improved with new fencing and gate arrangements in place of existing, complemented by the use of newly installed CCTV and access control."

As part of the scheme, the existing 1.8 metre high fencing will be dismantled and replaced with a new proposed fence design, increased in height to 2.4 metres.

The low level pedestrian gates will remain in position and increased to the recommended height of 2.4 metres.

The statement adds: "The focus of this proposal identifies the consideration and key necessity for effective site security as part of the schools safeguarding policy, to protect the vulnerable nature of the school’s main occupants, i.e. its pupils, which is of paramount importance as well as that of the teaching staff and site visitors.

"The school has implemented basic measures of controlled access at school reception and strategic inner cordons preventing the egress of small children from the school grounds, though remains deficient in terms of its external boundaries and the ability to prevent site intrusion during and out of school operational hours.

"The low level gating arrangement at the main entrance is only 800mm high and is easily breached, and coupled with low level fencing at various points around the site boundary, presents significant risk to site intrusion.

"The current levels of site security are clearly insufficient and are contributing significantly towards the school-being unable to meet its basic duty of care towards its pupils, staff and visitors in terms of providing a secure and stable learning, teaching and working environment and requires immediate upgrading."

In 2015 more than £600 worth of damage was caused to the pre-school playground as part of an attack which saw vandals urinate over play equipment.

Vandals also smashed a table and ripped up young trees as part of the attack.

Shropshire Council, which has received a planning application on behalf of the school, hopes to make a final decision on the application by November 7.

People can comment on the application as part of consultation into the scheme by visiting the council website.