Creating Safer Learning Environments: Proactive Security in Schools and Academies

As the Schools and Academies Show approaches on 15 May at ExCeL London, conversations around safeguarding and security in education have never been more vital. From addressing everyday risks like vaping and unauthorised access to meeting new compliance standards, today’s schools face complex challenges that demand practical, well-informed solutions.

The New Reality for Schools

Lockdown drills, evolving safeguarding expectations, and the upcoming introduction of Martyn’s Law are all shaping a new operational landscape for schools and academies. These measures reflect the growing pressure on leadership teams—not just to protect pupils and staff, but to visibly demonstrate that safety is being actively managed and prioritised.

At the same time, teachers and school staff are increasingly expected to respond to situations well beyond their core roles, often with limited resources. From handling welfare concerns to supporting emergency protocols, the burden placed on education professionals has never been higher.

Creating environments that are both safe and reassuring—for students, staff, and parents—is now as much about operational preparedness as it is about physical infrastructure.

Adapting to Change

Beyond traditional risks, schools are navigating a wider landscape of change:

• Cyber resilience and accreditation: According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 – Education Institutions Annex, 71% of secondary schools experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the past year, with phishing being the most common. At Reliance, we hold key accreditations including Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, and ISO 27017, giving schools and trusts confidence that our solutions meet the highest standards for cyber and data security.
• Inherently safer cloud platforms: The move to cloud is gathering pace—and for good reason. Cloud-hosted systems offer stronger security postures by design, with automated updates, role-based access controls, and improved resilience against threats. At the show, we’ll be showcasing cloud-native technologies from Verkada that not only simplify system management but also reduce risk.
• Legislative demands: With Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025) on the horizon, many schools will be required to demonstrate clear emergency planning, staff training, and physical security readiness. Modern, connected security systems are a key part of meeting this requirement.
• Infrastructure transition: With many PFI contracts now ending, schools are reassessing their long-term plans and looking at more sustainable, flexible approaches to infrastructure and funding.

Technology That Supports Teaching and Safeguarding

Modern security technology now plays a vital role in helping schools and academies stay on the front foot—protecting not just physical spaces, but also the wellbeing of students and the workload of staff.

Solutions we’re deploying today include:

• Smart vape detection: Air quality sensors help identify and deter vaping in toilets and unsupervised areas, supporting safeguarding teams and reinforcing behaviour policies.
• Live lockdown triggers and remote access: Simple tools allow authorised staff to initiate lockdowns, access live camera feeds, and share footage with emergency responders—without complex infrastructure or training.
• People of interest alerts: Intelligent video analytics can help identify and alert on individuals previously flagged by school leadership, supporting duty of care without requiring full-time monitoring.
• Vape detection and air quality monitoring: Discreet sensors detect vaping in toilets and unsupervised areas, helping schools address a growing safeguarding concern. These same sensors also monitor general air quality, providing valuable data to support pupil wellbeing and estates management.
• Cloud-based visibility and control: Staff can access and manage systems securely from anywhere—ideal for multi-site trusts, SLTs working off-site, or support teams needing centralised oversight.

By putting intuitive, effective tools in the hands of those responsible for safeguarding, we help reduce the pressure on teaching staff and SLTs—so they can focus on education, not emergency response.

Teaming Up with Verkada

At Reliance, we’re proud to be exhibiting alongside Verkada, whose intuitive, cloud-based security solutions are helping education providers gain greater visibility and control—whether on-site or remotely. With features such as vape detection, people-of-interest alerts, and live video sharing with authorised people and emergency services, Verkada’s platform is a natural fit for modern safeguarding strategies. Together, we’re helping schools transform their safety operations with minimal complexity and maximum impact.

Introducing Reliance Elevate – Security with Zero Up-Front Cost

If capital budgets are tight—or you’re looking to simplify procurement—our Reliance Elevate model could be the answer. This Physical Security as a Service (PySaaS) subscription offering gives schools access to the very latest in cloud-based security technology with no up-front cost. It covers everything from hardware and installation to support and system upgrades, with full remote support and maintenance included as standard.

Reliance Elevate helps you spread costs predictably, stay ahead of technology changes, and improve your security posture without the need for traditional capital investment. It’s already proving popular with education providers who want a simpler, smarter way to modernise their security infrastructure.

Our Value in the Chain

Reliance brings deep sector experience to the table. We deliver and support integrated security systems across the UK education sector, including cloud-connected CCTV, access control, intruder detection, lockdown capabilities, and environmental monitoring. All of this is backed by a UK-wide team of engineers and a commitment to quality, governance, and innovation.

We understand the pressures schools face and tailor our solutions accordingly—whether that’s helping with compliance, modernising infrastructure, or supporting day-to-day safeguarding strategies.

See It for Yourself

Join us at Stand K20 at the Schools and Academies Show on 15 May to discover how we’re working with schools and academies across the UK to create safer, smarter, and more resilient learning environments. Whether you’re upgrading legacy systems, tackling safeguarding challenges, or planning for the future—we’d love to talk.