Chalkwell Hall Junior School is a large community school in Southend-on-Sea. Established in 1908 and educating 420 pupils aged 7 to 11, the school has a key role in the local area. As a large school, it became increasingly important to ensure safeguarding and control the flow of children around the building.
Chalkwell Hall Junior School is a large community school in Southend-on-Sea. Established in 1908 and educating 420 pupils aged 7 to 11, the school has a key role in the local area. As a large school, it became increasingly important to ensure safeguarding and control the flow of children around the building.
In June 2012, Dave Sowerbutts, Building Surveyor from Southend Borough Council, headed up a refurbishment project to increase security for the school and modernise the reception area. Sowerbutts involved Blake Fire and Security to install an access control system to make the building secure for children and staff.
Blake Fire and Security installed Paxton's Net2 Entry, a video/audio door entry system, to enable reception staff to see pupils and visitors before they grant entry to the building. The Net2 Entry monitor is desk-mounted in reception with two external Net2 Entry panels at the playground and side entrances. Children and parents press the bell button on the robust panel, the reception staff can then grant or deny them access, giving them complete control over who is in the building at any time.
Matthew Finch, Access Control Manager at Blake Fire and Security, says: “The school needed a door entry system that was simple to use, but would integrate with access control. As regular installers of Paxton, we were aware of the new Net2 Entry and knew that it easily integrates with Net2. We decided to try it and it's worked brilliantly!”
They installed Net2, Paxton's leading networked access control system alongside the Net2 Entry system. Net2 electronically controls six internal doors securing the reception area, meaning that the main area of the school can't be accessed without permission.
Trudi Manicom, School Business Manager at Chalkwell Hall, says: “Net2 Entry is so easy to use. It's useful for reception staff to be able to see who is trying to enter before letting them in. We have peace of mind that the children are safe and only authorized people are in the building at all times.”