According to the Minister for Children and Families, whose remit includes Schools Standards, it is “the responsibility of those running schools (academy trusts, local authorities and voluntary-aided bodies) to ensure that their schools are safe, well maintained and compliant with relevant regulations, drawing on appropriate professional advice as necessary” – this naturally extends to school gates but Gate Safe suggests that the majority of schools fail to appreciate the risks associated with automated – and manual – gates.
The charity has undertaken surveys of numerous school gates, but more often than not, the site visit has been triggered because of an incident, rather than following an issue picked up during routine maintenance which requires an impartial, independent viewpoint.
When Gate Safe contacted local authorities throughout England to bring the matter of gate safety to the attention of those with a clear mandate to ensure the safety of the school environment, the response was hugely disappointing.
In reality, because the number of school gate accidents does not run into the hundreds year on year, there is a perception that the risks are minimal. However, the risk assessment should be based less on the frequency of accidents, and more on the severity of the potential injuries that can be sustained IF there is an accident.
The recognition that gates should be included when reviewing the safety of the school setting, and its compliance with the appropriate legislation should also be based on the ramifications of a gate related accident – or in the worst-case scenario a fatality – occurring.
If a child is seriously injured or killed because of a dangerous automated gate – dangerous either through design, a failure to fit the appropriate safety measures required by law or due to poor maintenance – then the school’s reputation will be severely tarnished. The actions of the headteacher – along with the governors – will be questioned and whether found guilty or not, there will be considerable stress in the run up to and during ensuing court case to determine who will be held accountable. And of course, if the school is found to be negligent in its approach to gate safety, there is every chance that a substantial fine will be awarded, plus the court costs and a potential compensation payment to the victim / victim’s family.
The charity’s Safe School Gates campaign welcomes the guidance released by the government in February of this year, in relation to its new Education Estates Strategy which confirmed that:
- The new 10-year plan will drive a shift towards more proactive management of the estate acknowledging that the disruption caused by RAAC should be viewed as a warning of what can happen if the condition of buildings is not regularly assessed – this should also extend to gates
- School leaders to audit condition data, asset registers and compliance documentation – with “Responsible Bodies”- those responsible for managing the school and college estate – are being asked by Autumn 2026 to submit an annual return to confirm that they are meeting the Estate Management Standards – this could include up to date maintenance records for any automated gates and identification / mitigation of any risks to safety
- The new guidance reiterates the need for evidence-based management and leadership accountability, placing the Headteacher clearly in the spotlight
However, Gate Safe’s founder Richard Jackson OBE comments “More should be done to ensure there is a clearer understanding that this messaging extends to the inclusion of any automated – and manual – gates on the school premises. Gate Safe would also like to see an improvement in the education of headteachers and members of the senior leadership team, who are charged with compliance and governance within the school setting. They have a duty to safeguard children whilst on site and this should extend to the physical site security and regular risk assessments. The Headteacher must fully appreciate their responsibility for the ongoing safety of any automated (and manual) gate on the school premises and the need to seek out specialist, suitably trained professionals to install and maintain the gates”.