The Community Security Group, based in Beswick, Greater Manchester, has been working with local schools to modernise older school buildings, ensuring that they comply with the strict requirements laid down by The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) and other regulatory bodies - particularly in the area of safety and security.
 
OFSTED has led the national drive to ensure that every school is properly secured to make sure that children and staff remain safe in school hours. During routine school inspections, security weaknesses are identified and an action plan is put into place to address any problem areas. Broken gates, damaged perimeter fencing and rusty railings are hazardous and need to be repaired or replaced. Automatic or manual wrought iron gating and additional fencing is often recommended to cordon off restricted areas for added physical security and access control, video entry and other electrical security systems are routinely prescribed to assist with screening and controlling visitor access.
 
A project entailing the design, manufacture and installation of perimeter fencing and railings, an intercom system, CCTV system, fire doors and roller shutter doors was undertaken at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School in Collyhurst. Community Security answered the brief from the head teacher to address problems that had been identified by OFSTED that concerned keeping track of people entering and leaving the school premises. With existing facilities deemed to be inadequate, Community Security used an integrated approach, addressing the key issues and modernising the building's boundaries and its systems to match the best of contemporary education facilities. Wrought iron double gates were especially designed for the school and a Videx intercom system allows staff to identify visitors before allowing them access.
 
 Additional fencing was erected in the school grounds to isolate off-limit areas and this greatly improved the safety and security aspect for children and staff. More recently, work was undertaken to design, manufacture and install window grilles, bin cages and roller shutter doors which are a must for modern schools that have to guard against loss through criminal activity and vandalism.
 
St Malachy's Roman Catholic Primary School was founded in 1930 and it was during a recent inspection by fire officers that the upper two floors of the three storey school faced closure unless immediate measures were taken to renew the fire doors. Community Security manufactured and installed the new fire doors within just three weeks, completing the project whilst the school was closed for the February holidays. The school's 80 year old railings were rusted and unsafe and were also replaced in 2010 in a project to improve security for pupils, staff and visitors to the school. Securing the perimeter of the school took a mere six weeks to complete in the summer holidays and the children now play safely while unauthorised persons cannot gain access to school grounds.
 
Community Security Group Managing Director, Tony Nuttall, founded the Group in 1992. It has since established itself at the forefront of the security industry by constantly innovating and improving the quality of its products and services which include CCTV, intruder alarms, access control, ironworks, locksmiths and security retail. Whilst its client base comprises a mix of individuals, companies and public organizations, Tony has a special interest in supporting the local community and he particularly enjoys working with schools in the area. He commented: "We work closely with the head teachers of many local schools and we are always available to help with anything from faulty locks and lost keys to designing and installing sophisticated security systems. There are too many older schools in Greater Manchester and with all the budget cuts to come, we are trying to do the best we can to modernise and enhance school security without damaging the respect for our historical buildings."