Designing Educational Perimeters: Safeguarding Without Compromise

Description

Designing perimeter fencing and boundary security for educational buildings is one of the most complex challenges faced by architects working in the education sector. School fencing design, college campus security and university perimeter strategy must respond to safeguarding obligations, health and safety requirements, planning constraints, placemaking principles and long-term operational management, while continuing to support inclusive, welcoming learning environments.

This RIBA-accredited CPD is designed specifically for architects and architectural practices involved in the design of schools, colleges, universities, student accommodation and educational campuses. It addresses a significant gap in current CPD provision by focusing on early-stage design thinking, safeguarding-led perimeter strategy and planning-friendly boundary design, rather than product-led solutions.

The session reframes fencing and perimeter systems as part of a wider architectural, landscape and safeguarding strategy, supporting better outcomes at RIBA Stages 0–3 and reducing the risk of redesign, delay and cost escalation at later stages.

Educational projects require architects to balance safeguarding and security with openness, visibility and community integration. Increasing scrutiny from local planning authorities, education clients and safeguarding leads means that perimeter design decisions must be robust, defensible and clearly integrated into the overall architectural concept.

Many education projects encounter challenges because perimeter strategy is considered too late in the design process, often resulting in:

• Planning objections
• Compromised placemaking
• Safeguarding gaps
• Redesign and cost escalation during construction

This CPD supports architects in developing risk-informed perimeter strategies at concept and masterplanning stage, enabling clearer decision-making and improved coordination with landscape architects, engineers and specialist consultants.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this CPD, architects will be able to:

• Design perimeter fencing and boundary systems appropriate to schools, colleges and university campuses
• Understand the distinction between safeguarding, security and supervision in educational environments
• Apply zoning and movement control principles to education site layouts
• Balance safety, aesthetics and planning requirements in boundary design
• Specify fencing systems with greater clarity and reduced professional risk
• Integrate fencing with access control, lighting, CCTV and landscape design
• Reduce late-stage redesign, RFIs and site coordination issues

Education Sector Focus

Primary and Secondary Schools

The session explores safeguarding-led perimeter strategies that support pupil safety during school hours while maintaining visibility, supervision and a non-institutional appearance. It considers how boundary design influences movement, arrival and departure, and day-to-day site management.

Further Education Colleges

For further education campuses, the CPD examines perimeter strategies for open and mixed-use sites, addressing extended hours of use, public interfaces and behavioural risk. The focus is on balancing openness with control through early design decisions.

Universities and Campus Environments

For universities and student accommodation, the CPD considers campus-scale perimeter strategy, layered security approaches and landscape-led design. It explores when fencing can be avoided, and when it is required, how it can be justified through planning and design quality.

Safeguarding-Led Design

A key focus of the CPD is the distinction between safeguarding and security, an area frequently misunderstood during education projects. The session challenges common assumptions and helps architects understand how perimeter design influences movement, supervision and risk management, rather than focusing solely on physical resistance.

This approach aligns with education safeguarding policies, DfE guidance and architectural best practice, enabling architects to communicate perimeter decisions clearly to clients and stakeholders.

Planning, Aesthetics and Community Acceptance

Boundary treatments are often among the most scrutinised elements of an education scheme at planning stage. This CPD provides architects with guidance on how perimeter design decisions can be defended through:

• Planning-friendly design principles
• Visual permeability, height and materiality
• Context-sensitive boundary strategies
• Clear planning justification and narrative

The session supports stronger outcomes in planning submissions and Design and Access Statements.

Specification, Coordination and Buildability

The CPD also addresses fencing specification for education projects, focusing on common coordination challenges that lead to redesign or dispute. It highlights the importance of early decisions around foundations, levels, interfaces and long-term maintenance, supporting improved buildability and cost certainty.

Format and Delivery

This RIBA-accredited CPD is delivered as a 45–60 minute session, suitable for lunch-and-learn events, studio presentations and framework partner briefings. The content is case-study-led, design-focused and architect-centric, with no product promotion.

Summary

This CPD equips architects with the insight and confidence to design safe, compliant and welcoming educational environments through better perimeter and boundary design. It supports stronger early-stage decision-making, reduces professional risk and helps ensure safeguarding, planning and design quality are addressed holistically.