School security policy: guidance and examples

Last reviewed on 9 February 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 41618

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.

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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 from primary schools
  7. See examples 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 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 the physical infrastructure and 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?

Balance the need to protect

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