NEW SCHOOL TO SPEND BIG ON SECURITY

A FLAGSHIP city academy whose headmaster faced an auditor investigation over spending at his previous school is allocating hundreds of thousands of pounds for security, writes Alistair Gray.

Documents obtained by the Hackney Post show that the Petchey Academy in Dalston has set aside almost half a million pounds for US-style monitoring technology for staff and pupils.

David Daniels, the principal (below), was already involved in controversy after accountants Deloitte and Touche found financial irregularities at his previous school in White Hart Lane, Tottenham.



Petchey Academy’s business manager, Jennie MacLaren, claims the school’s new security system, which will include electronic swipe cards and extensive CCTV monitoring, is necessary to prevent theft from its state-of-the-art computer suite.

She insisted that Petchey would secure good value for money because it is putting the contract out to tender.

Ms MacLaren said: “There’s lots of very valuable IT equipment for use by our children that has been bought by government money and we need to protect it as much as we possibly can.

“In addition, we want to create a secure environment where everyone is kept as safe as possible. We are using government money as must act appropriately.

“There is a considerable risk of damage and theft and installing a security system is an insurance requirement.

“I don’t consider this excessive. It’s just one security guard on during the day and one at night.”



At least five firms will compete for the three-year contract, for which the school is prepared to spend between £210,000 and £450,000. They have until the end of April to submit a bid to facilities management firm Bernard Williams Associates, who are coordinating the project.

Principal David Daniels was appointed to Petchey from White Hart Lane School in Tottenham for his expertise in running inner city schools.

Yet the Deloitte and Touche report into his time at White Heart Lane, which was released in January, found that tens of thousands of pounds was spent on “alcohol and flowers” for staff, and that some equipment had not been properly accounted for.

It also said that a café and catering business in the school was being run for profit and without tills, so that no accounts were properly kept.

The report said: “There is no evidence to confirm that there was no personal use of the groceries, as these were not delivered to the school.”

Mr Daniels did not return the Post’s calls this week.

Ms MacLaren insisted the school atmosphere would remain open and friendly despite the introduction of stringent security. “The children are already familiar with having a security guard so there’s no problem there. People now have to go through extensive checks before they can work with children.

“The system also allows us to prevent them going to areas they’re not supposed to, like lift mechanics.”

East London-bred entrepreneur Jack Petchey, who has a broad capital portfolio and recently acquired 200 pubs, sponsors the £34.2m Academy.

The school, which opened in September with 180 founding pupils, will eventually hold 1,200 and specialise in medical and health education.

The National Union of Teachers has defended the security spending as essential. A spokesman said: “The effects of having an inadequate security system are devastating and upsetting for staff and students alike.

“This figure is small beer compared to the loss of children’s well being that arises from theft and assault.

“Only this week a boy was stabbed in another London school. It is necessary to take precautions to make the working environment as safe as possible.”

COMMENT & ANALYSIS: The Post's News Editor discusses security in schools.