Challenge
When headteacher Justin Peoples joined the school, he identified two significant issues raising health and safety concerns:
- Staff failing to wear lanyards in and around school
- A failure of a mechanical lock on a rear access door
Solution
The incorporation of access doors requiring staff passes for entry meant that all staff were soon wearing lanyards as required around school. A new lock and secure access door was installed ensuring the safety and security of children and staff.
When further health and safety issues were identified linked to behaviour management and safeguarding of pupils, 3 more doors were installed with access control as well as a signing in and out system for staff using a tablet. The electronic system replaced the former paper-based system, set up for signing in and out and roll call.
Issues
When Semieta was first up and running there were some issues surrounding speed but these were again very quickly addressed and resolved by the support team and fantastic customer support.
Why Semieta?
Semieta was a recommended supplier of access control due to very close links with North Yorks County Council. Semieta were described as ‘extremely responsive’ and able to design a fully customised access system that exactly matched the requirements of the school site.
Mr Peoples commented “When I joined as Headteacher I had a vision to raise safety and safeguarding standards for all staff and pupils within the school. To see all staff with professional ID lanyards and to be able to monitor and control all access and departures from the school is a huge step forward. We worked very closely with the staff at Semieta to design a system that responded to all of our needs. I have been particularly impressed by the responsiveness of the staff. Emails are responded to very quickly and ongoing training has been provided to all staff, making the jump from a paper-based set up to an innovative and robust electronic system smooth and seamless. What is more, Semieta has offered such great solutions and improvements to our school that when discussing spend with school Governors, it is a very easy sell.”
