Chelmer Valley Safeguarding Improvements

Chelmer Valley High School is a large successful secondary school to the North of the city of Chelmsford, Essex. Sited on the Northern edge of the city’s development, its boundaries are largely rural, with the Broomfield Hospital and its secure mental health, The Linden Centre forming a further boundary on the North of the site. Due to its proximity to the hospital (which is Chelmsford’s A&E hospital also), the school allows the East of England Air Ambulance and hospital to utilise the school playing fields as an out of hours landing facility when the hospital’s fire service is unavailable.

The safeguarding measures at Chelmer Valley High School needed urgent improvements. Numerous significant failings allowed access to the school by trespassers and criminals, which could result in damage, theft and cost for the school. Furthermore, the local area suffers issues with cases of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage/arson and burglary recorded in the past 12-months. M+C recommended a simple, low-impact solution that will resolve all of these issues at a comparatively low cost.

As part of the funding bid, M+C undertook a detailed condition survey to identify all of the vulnerable boundaries requiring attention to increase security.

Within the assessment M+C identified a number of works that would be required. By removing the chain-link/Heras/wooden fencing from the schools rear and side boundaries and replacing it with a new compliment fence-line, it would deter trespasses and criminals from access the site . M+C also provided new automated vehicle and pedestrian gates with access-control measures to reception to allow remote access for better security and management of personnel on the school site.

To reduce the overall fencing costs, M+C suggested dividing the school playing fields in two; enabling the more regularly used areas to be fully secured with new fencing, whilst the second half used only under teacher supervision to be excluded from the new fencing. This also enabled staff to better manage students and lunch and break times due to the smaller area covered.

M+C improved access to the school from the extensive car park. M+C delivered this by creating a new fencing layout to funnel visitors to the main reception area with ease. M+C also added a site gate to allow 24/7 access for the fire service when required. This allows easy access to the field to support the air ambulance landing.

There are a number of steps that can be taken to improve safeguarding measures in schools. We offer comprehensive safeguarding solutions. With 40+ years of experience in the education sector, we manage projects from concept to completion. Let us help you create a safer learning environment.

For more information on how the team here at Munday + Cramer can help in this process, or if you would like to find out more about our building surveying services, operating across the UK including Essex and surrounding areas, Greater London, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk, then get in touch! Contact Munday + Cramer today on 01245 326 200.