IGS London is committed to improving school access control, supporting sustainability, and creating safer environments for schools across London and Surrey. As safeguarding and site security requirements continue to evolve, schools face the challenge of maintaining welcoming environments while ensuring that pupils, staff, and visitors remain appropriately protected.
As safeguarding and site security requirements continue to evolve, schools face the challenge of maintaining welcoming environments while ensuring that pupils, staff, and visitors remain appropriately protected.
Current Department for Education guidance places significant emphasis on school security and access management. Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 sets out schools’ statutory safeguarding responsibilities. The Department for Education’s School and College Security Guidance also highlights the importance of effective access control. It recommends that visitors are acknowledged and directed through the appropriate reception process.
For this school in Redhill, Surrey, IGS London modernised a pedestrian entrance while preserving the site’s historic character. The project combined a new access control system, HD video intercom, and secure pedestrian gate with the responsible recycling of the original Victorian ironwork.
Preserving Heritage While Improving School Security
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was balancing modern safeguarding requirements with respect for the site’s heritage.
The existing pedestrian entrance still incorporated its original Victorian ironwork. Rather than removing and disposing of these historic gates, our engineers carefully dismantled them so they could be responsibly recycled and preserved.
We passed the gates to a specialist metal recycler for refurbishment. Our aim is to give this historic ironwork a new home where people can continue to appreciate it.
This approach reflects IGS London’s commitment to sustainability, responsible recycling, and preserving historically significant materials wherever practical.
A Modern Entrance for a Modern School
While the original gates had considerable character, today’s schools require much higher levels of safeguarding and access control.
IGS London installed a new two-metre-high pedestrian security gate designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing entrance while providing a stronger, safer, and more controllable boundary.
However, replacing the gate itself was only one part of the project.
The existing analogue intercom no longer met the school’s operational needs. It also routed calls only to the nursery.
As a result, the school’s main reception had no direct visibility or control over visitors requesting access through this entrance.
Our objective was to create a solution that improved security while simplifying visitor management for staff.
Network-Based HD Video Access Control
We used the school’s existing network infrastructure to install a modern HD video intercom and access control system. This avoided the need for a separate communications network.
Calls from the pedestrian entrance now route directly to a dedicated touchscreen at the school’s main reception.
Reception staff can now:
- See who is requesting access.
- Speak directly with visitors.
- Control entry from one central location.
- Manage visitor access more efficiently.
As a result, the school now benefits from significantly greater oversight of its perimeter and improved visitor management.
Built for Future Expansion
One of the biggest advantages of the new system is its scalability.
Because the system uses the school’s existing network, the school can easily add compatible gates and intercom stations in the future. Each one can connect to the same central touchscreen.
Additional internal screens can also be installed wherever suitable network connectivity is available, including secondary reception areas, administration offices, or other designated locations.
Rather than gradually accumulating multiple standalone intercom systems, the school now has a single, streamlined access control platform that can continue developing alongside its operational requirements.
This approach reduces future disruption, supports long-term planning, and helps protect the school’s investment.
Supporting Safer Schools
The Department for Education recognises effective access control as an important part of school security, alongside appropriate physical security measures and robust visitor management procedures.
At IGS London, we believe modern security does not need to mean unnecessarily complicated systems or abandoning the character of an existing site.
This project brought together heritage preservation, responsible recycling, HD video technology, modern access control, and future-proof network integration to deliver a solution designed specifically for today’s school environment.
By improving visitor management and giving reception staff greater control over access, the school now benefits from a safer, smarter, and more efficient entrance.
Looking for School Access Control Systems?
Whether you’re upgrading an existing school entrance or planning a completely new access control installation, IGS London designs every solution around the needs of the site.
Our engineers install secure pedestrian gates, HD video intercoms, integrated access control systems, and future-ready network solutions. Every installation improves safeguarding while remaining practical, reliable, and easy to manage.
If you’re looking to improve security at your school or educational facility, contact IGS London to discuss your requirements.
