A case study of a network-based video security system at Chigwell School to protect students, staff and property across the 100 acre site.
David Morrison, Bursar at Chigwell School reports that the School has had a basic CCTV system for many years but as the site has grown, the limitations of the analogue system both in terms of quality and flexibility were becoming apparent. The school has 34 buildings and several car parks which sit on the southern portion of the site. In September 2013, the school will open a new Pre Prep which partly prompted the decision to upgrade to a new, digital CCTV.
After a study of CCTV vendors and technologies by Tim Crispin, Network Manager, the school selected a MOBOTIX based system from the installer CNS, a MOBOTIX partner. A deciding factor was the decentralised technology offered by the network CCTV manufacturer which allows for flexible monitoring terminals without the need for a dedicated control room. Senior staff are able to monitor pertinent cameras from an authorised PC. “The notion of collective security that is segmented to different staff across the campus really helps to make the school a safe and secure environment,” says David Morrison.
The school has deployed 40 cameras covering all key buildings and doorways. These include MOBOTIX M12, M22, and Q24 cameras offering up to 3.1MP images without the need for special housing or additional power other than the single PoE Ethernet cable. CNS also fitted Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) that allows the school car park barrier to raise only for staff vehicles and pre-authorised guests.
The new CCTV also has sound and linkage to the building alarms to allow the visual and audio inspection of the site if any alarm zones are triggered. “Since, we have had the system installed there have been no attempted break-ins and the exceptionally high quality image is clearly a deterrent,” says David Morrison.
The school has had training from CNS for its security staff in the use of the CCTV as well as an external audit by an independent security expert. “The consultant we used had previously worked on security at several key Olympic sites and was impressed by our security arrangements,” says David Morrison, “We take our responsibility to safeguard our students and staff very seriously and investment in the new CCTV and our work with CNS has been roundly supported by both our Headmaster, governors teaching and support staff and above all else our parents and pupils.”
About Chigwell School
The co-educational independent school has over 750 boys and girls between the ages of seven and 18, and an 108 pupils in the new Pre Prep school which opens in September, in an area which covers some 100 acres. The School’s motto “aut viam inveniam aut faciam” translates as “find a way or make a way”.
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