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What are The Benefits of Installing Access Control Systems in Schools

Max Smith Picture

Max Smith

12th November 2026

It goes without saying that making schools a safe and secure environment for staff and pupils should be a priority. One way you can do this is by installing an access control system. There are many areas of schools that members of the public should not be able to access.

Access control systems allow you to set different access levels for staff, pupils and visitors meaning only those with authorisation will gain entry into a particular area of the school. This helps give you peace of mind that your facility is well protected against security threats.

Among the other non commercial facilities that have taken advantage of the benefits offered by access control systems are hospitals, universities and government buildings to name just a few. All these organisations are well aware of the need to stop members of the public wandering freely around their premises. Access control systems can provide schools with a level of security not available to you when you use traditional locks and keys.

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    Access Control Systems Offer much More Than Just Improved Security

    The Ability to Provide different Levels of Access

    No school grants its employees and students unrestricted access to all areas of the building. For instance, the reception and offices contain sensitive information and documents pertaining to employees, which should not be accessible to all members of staff. When you install an access control system you can regulate who is allowed to enter specific areas of the school.

    Access Control System Makes Duplication Difficult

    Duplicating physical keys is not difficult and if one is lost or falls into the hands of unscrupulous individuals it can be costly or dangerous. When this happens you normally have to change your locks which is not only inconvenient but also extremely expensive. Even with the most basic access control system all you would need to do is change the entry code or cancel the keycard that has been mislaid.

    Access Control Does More Than Just open doors

    Access control systems can be integrated into all areas of security within the school. This includes barriers, turnstiles and gates. This is particularly effective to stop things like unwanted visitors and unauthorised parking making your school a safer environment for both staff and pupils alike.

    Keeps Valuables Safe

    If you need to store valuables such as money or mobile phones it is essential you have a safe location. By utilising your access control system you can ensure you have peace of mind that only people with prior authorisation are able to enter the room where the valuables have been left. In cases where someone misuses their keycard to steal these valuables, the culprit can be easily identified as these systems can be monitored from any computer connected to your network. Whereas if you use traditional locks and keys identifying the thief would be extremely difficult.

    Multi-location access

    These days most schools have a number of different locations within their location. Access control systems make management of these areas much easier when students or staff need to move around the various locations. It is much safer and more convenient than having to issue a number of different keys or leave doors open for long periods of time.

    Investment in Cost and Energy Savings

    Another significant benefit of access control is the fact it can be easily integrated with other systems in your building, such as the HVAC system. The most advanced systems can identify which areas of the building need lighting, heating, or cooling at any given time. This integration helps reduce energy costs by ensuring that only necessary rooms are heated or cooled.

    They Help Simplify Employee Turnover

    With an access control system one keycard can be coded to determine which areas of a school individuals have access to. So, if that individual leaves all you need to do is replace the keycard as opposed to going to the trouble of replacing a number of different keys.

    Recorded history of entry

    As well as letting you take away any privileges associated with employees’ or students’ keycards, access control systems have the ability to record and store information on who enters and exits the building or particular room within it. Every time someone scans their card, the system logs the time, location, and details of the individual.

    This benefits management in two ways. Firstly, it enables you to track whether employees arrive and leave at the designated times, ensuring punctuality. Secondly, in the event of burglary or vandalism, you can easily determine who had access to the building at the relevant time, helping you identify the culprit.

    If you are a school that is considering installing access control why not contact the team here at Security Control Systems for a fast and efficient solution.

    Max Smith Picture

    Max Smith

    12th November 2026

    From studying for a Politics degree, Max took the less than obvious path into the environs of Security as a Locksmith back in 1985! Thirty plus years later, it’s a journey that has seen the achievement of NSI Gold accreditation for Intruder Alarms, Access Control & CCTV, plus the introduction of a sister company specialising in Gate Automation Solutions. With a wealth of both Engineering and management experience, Max has an active interest in the evolution of the Security Industry and its future direction.

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