The safety of the pupils at Meadows Junior School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent has been secured with Jacksons' Sentry® perimeter fencing.
The school, purpose-built for children with special needs aged between 7 and 11, was opened in June 2018 as an additional annex facility to the existing Meadows School.
In order to keep the students safe at the new site and mitigate the risk of trespassing and vandalism, perimeter fencing and gates were required to secure the grounds, which next to a busy main road also presented the danger of oncoming traffic.
The new school site includes three classrooms, a hall and atrium space, as well as smaller meeting rooms and offices. The outside space creates a green environment in which pupils can be close to nature, with separate play areas and the potential for an allotment and planting area, all secured by Jacksons.
Jacksons supplied and installed 61 metres of 2-metre-high vertical bar Sentry® fencing around the perimeter of the school site. Comprising of wide vertical bars with concealed fixings Sentry® is a non-intrusive fence that offers security through its anti-climb design and welded semi pale-through-rail construction, making it extremely difficult to break through. The pales are spaced with a maximum gap of 100mm to conform to anti-trap regulations, reducing the risk of children getting their limbs or heads stuck.
As with all Jacksons' products, Sentry® fencing can be tailored to suit your specific requirements; it is commonly seen with a security comb topping, but in order to provide a non-intimidating presence, this was forgone.
Due to the uneven terrain, the panels were stepped upon installation along the sloping ground. The fencing and gates were powder coated green, enabling them to blend with the natural foliage in the surrounding area and create a welcoming and peaceful environment.
Four manual single leaf pedestrian gates were also installed to match the fencing, two with push pads to stop unauthorised access from the outside.
Sentry® fencing and gates come with a 25-year service life guarantee, offering a cost effective, sustainable solution.