School Security Policy

School design

Sprinklers are required in new schools and new buildings measuring over 1,000 square metres.

Security systems are required in new schools and new buildings costing over $200,000.

All new schools and new buildings and renovation projects over 1,000 square metres must include a security design report. The security design report will identify local security issues and outline the design responses, including the use of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts.

Security resources

Ministry security management resources for schools include security system design briefs and general security information.

The Ministry has written a security design guide for schools called Security In Your School. The guide includes a risk management planning tool. The risk management planning tool guides schools through a security assessment and action plan writing process.

back to top

Security audits

A formal security audit or assessment is a good idea before upgrading or adding to school security. The aim of the audit is to identify the actions schools can take to be less attractive to vandals and thieves.

The Ministry will provide tailored security assessments for E-band schools that have applied for vandalism top-up grants for 3 consecutive years, if:

• the school agrees to prioritise the report’s recommendations from their 5YA budget and to be placed in the vandalism grant ‘C band’ following implementation; and
• the anticipated 3-year cost saving from re-banding is greater than the cost of the consultants report.

The Ministry will also fund a formal security audit for schools suffering catastrophic loss through arson.

Auckland preferred suppliers of security audits

Bob Campbell Consultancy Ltd
PO Box 35 823
Browns Bay
Auckland
Phone (09) 443 8350
Email bcampbell@bcc.co.nz [no spam]

Groves Consultants Ltd
Bill Groves
PO Box 34 851
Birkenhead
Auckland
Phone (09) 482 2378
Email bill@grovesconsultants.com [no spam]

Map Datum
Michael Pepper
PO Box 21757
Henderson
Auckland 0650
Phone (09) 835 1131
Email mail@mapdsecurity.com [no spam]

Paragon New Zealand.Com Ltd
Ron McQuilter
PO Box 6700
Wellesly Street
Auckland
Phone (09) 357 6644
Email Ron.mcquilter@paragonnz.com [no spam]

Funding of Ministry security audit recommendations

A school that needs a Ministry funded security audit may be eligible for a top-up of its 5YA budget. The top-up aims to meet half the cost of security improvements except that:

• the minimum contribution by the school (from their 5YA budget) will be 10% of their 5YA budget; and
• the maximum contribution 50% of their 5YA budget.

The security assessment recommendations are considered to be non-discretionary. They are therefore covered by the Budget Plus policy under the headings of ‘preserving the building fabric’ and ‘ensuring the safety and welfare of occupants’.

A security top-up funding calculator is available for download from this page.

back to top

Security guards and patrols

Short term security guard and patrol services will continue to be funded by the ministry in response to spates of vandalism or serious one-off security incidents.

Schools will be responsible for managing and funding any new permanent security patrol services.

Current permanent security patrols will be grandfathered for a two year period (ending November 2010). Schools will then be responsible for managing and funding their own permanent security patrols.

Grandfathered schools may apply for additional funding to cover the cost of their permanent security patrol service through movement to the next vandalism grant band.

Vandalism banding

Schools that have received vandalism grant top-ups for three consecutive years will be moved into a higher vandalism grant band. This gives a more realistic picture of each school’s risk profile. It also signals to the school that they may need to increase the priority they give to vandalism prevention.

Emergency response

Schools and local offices will retain the ability to take appropriate and immediate action in the event of unforeseen security incidents, such as instituting static guards or random security patrols.

back to top