Keeping schools and pupils secure is a top priority, which is why installing security posts and bollards is a popular way of optimising security and increasing safety. With a range of solutions to suit all types of school grounds, management teams and councils can provide a safer environment for staff and pupils by using bollards to restrict access, manage foot traffic and deter trespassers.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about selecting the best bollards for schools and how to install them for optimal performance and security. 

Choosing the Right Bollards for Your School

The ‘best’ bollards for schools depend on numerous factors, including their purpose and the site specifications. Security posts can be used for many reasons, so before you choose which bollards to install, consider what you want to achieve. There are many reasons why bollards can be used at schools, including:

Restricting Car Park Access

Most schools have staff car parks and preventing unauthorised vehicles from gaining access or using the space is an important consideration. When numerous vehicles need to access a car park, automatic bollards can be a good way to increase security without disrupting the flow of traffic. Alternatively, small car parks can benefit from removable or retractable bollards that can be managed manually.

At larger schools, an arm barrier or a swing gate can also be highly effective ways to restrict car park access and ensure that only authorised vehicles have access to your site. For wider entrances that occasionally need to take higher vans or minibuses, our swing height restriction barrier provides clear 2.05–2.2m headroom control and can be locked open during scheduled deliveries.

Check out our dedicated car park bollards and barriers.

Protecting Pedestrian-Only Areas

There are many areas within school sites that are not designed for vehicular access. Despite this, visitors may attempt to drive or park in spaces that are meant for pedestrians only. Not only does this cause disruption, but it also poses a serious safety risk. If pupils are not expecting to encounter vehicles in a specific area of the school, they won’t be alert to potential dangers.

Fixed bollards can be a great way to protect staff and pupils by securing pedestrian-only areas. From outdoor walkways to entryways and exits, static bollards clearly designate the space, prevent vehicles encroaching on it and help to keep people safe.

In higher-risk environments, crash-rated bollards, like the Defender HM3009 Pas 68, may be considered to provide enhanced protection against potential vehicular threats. These may form part of broader anti-terrorism security measures.

As schools review site security, they may also need to consider how Martyn’s Law requirements for education settings could affect their approach.

Managing Foot Traffic

Many schools have hundreds of pupils, with larger secondary schools often having thousands of students attending each day. Managing this level of foot traffic can be challenging, particularly if students can’t always be relied upon to pay close attention to their surroundings!

Fortunately, security posts are an easy and effective way to guide pedestrians and create clear pathways from one area of the school to another. When a site has multiple buildings and outdoor walkways are essential, fixed bollards can be used to manage foot traffic and prevent congestion, for example.

Alternatively, removable bollards can be a viable option when footfall needs to be managed in various ways. When hundreds of pupils are moving from one building to another during the school day, for example, outdoor spaces may need to be used flexibly. If so, removable bollards can be deployed as an effective method of managing foot traffic.

Illuminating Outdoor Spaces

External lighting can improve security, but it also enhances safety and well-being. It’s often dark or overcast when staff and pupils are arriving or leaving school in autumn and winter months, and limited visibility can be the cause of accidents.

Using illuminated bollards, you can restrict access while adding an extra layer of external lighting to the site.

Stop Nuisance Parking

Pick-up and drop-off times can be a point of friction when parents and caregivers show little regard for the surrounding area. Local residents often grow frustrated when nearby roads are congested and vehicles are left partially on the pavement or blocking driveways, for example.

Similarly, the issue of nuisance parking can be extremely frustrating for school management teams who strive to maintain a safe environment while battling with inconsiderate motorists, limited space for vehicles and dangerous parking near school sites.

While councils may be responsible for managing traffic on public highways outside the school grounds, you can install bollards on school premises to help prevent nuisance parking on site.

Additional resource: Bollards for councils

Optimising Performance with Strategic Placement

Once you’ve selected the type of bollards you want to install, it’s vital to consider exactly where they will be placed. It’s easy to assume that simply installing bollards will have the desired effect but, in reality, their specific placement has a big impact on how they affect behaviour.

When you’re using bollards to manage foot traffic, for example, you’ll want to ensure there is sufficient space between the bollards to allow pedestrians to pass without causing congestion. Alternatively, when you’re relying on security posts to restrict vehicular access, you’ll need to make sure that the space between bollards is sufficient to prevent access to smaller vehicles.

If you’re unsure how to determine the placement of bollards for schools, our expert team is happy to help.

Maximising Safety with Professional Installation

When you’re using bollards for schools to increase safety and security, it’s important to make sure that they are installed correctly. Not only will this increase the efficacy and lifespan of the bollards, but it will ensure they don’t pose a safety risk to staff, pupils or visitors.

Exact installation requirements can vary depending on bollard:

• Type
• Size
• Material

Similarly, the site and the type of ground the bollard is being installed into will impact the type of installation that’s required. Due to this, it’s advisable to use professional installation services to affix bollards and security posts.

From ensuring the correct depth and scanning the ground for any cables or pipes to managing drainage and functionality testing, professional installation ensures optimal performance and safety.

To find out more or for help choosing the bollards for schools, contact our team now on 01708 956833 or send us a message.