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School security policy: guidance and examples

Understand what's expected from your security policy and procedures, including how to assess and manage risks, who should be involved, and how to use your existing school policies to inform your approach to school security.

Last reviewed on 9 February 2023
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 41618
Contents
  1. What is a security policy, and do I need to have one?
  2. Who's responsible for security?
  3. How do we identify risks?
  4. What else should we be doing?
  5. Other questions to ask when forming your policy
  6. See examples of policies from primary schools
  7. See examples of policies from secondary schools

This article explains your responsibilities for managing and responding to security-related incidents, including which policies you’re expected to have.  

It’s based on the DfE guidance for school and college security, which brings together guidance on health and safety, and security as it applies to schools.

There’s no set definition of ‘security-related incidents’, but in general it refers to any situation posing a risk of harm to your school (both to the physical infrastructure and to your staff and pupils). This includes:

  • Vandalism
  • Arson
  • Cyber attacks
  • Serious incidents with a weapon
  • Terror attacks

Part of the process of writing your security policy is considering what your school’s specific local risks are.

What is a security policy, and do I need to have one?

It’s not on the list of statutory policies for maintained schools or academy trusts, but the DfE school security guidance says it’s ‘important’ for schools to have a policy and plan in place.

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