Project Overview
Haringey Sixth Form College is a leading post-16 education provider in North London, known for its inclusive approach and commitment to academic excellence. Serving students aged 16 to 19, the college delivers a dynamic curriculum that fosters personal growth, ambition, and community engagement.
With a large and diverse student population, consistent footfall, and regular external visitors, the college recognised the growing need for proactive, professional on-site security that could also support its wider operational flow. Having worked with Optimum Group for over 17 years, the college looked to enhance this long-standing relationship by evolving the security function into a more visible, supportive, and digitally enabled role. This included managing entry and exit points, logging and guiding visitors, preventing unauthorised access, and reinforcing school safeguarding policies through daily interaction and a service-oriented presence.
The Challenge
The college identified several operational challenges that impacted daily flow, safety, and stakeholder confidence:
- Managing Busy Entry Points
Morning arrivals, class transitions, and end-of-day exits required a consistent presence to control access, greet students, and maintain order. - Visitor Support and Logging
With contractors, parents, and deliveries arriving frequently, the college needed a professional, front-facing presence to log, direct, and support external visitors in line with safeguarding procedures. - Hallway Supervision
Noise, loitering, and minor behavioural disruptions during breaks required a calm yet authoritative presence in key internal areas. - Crisis Management and Safeguarding
The college wanted peace of mind that both planned and unexpected incidents, including safeguarding alerts, would be handled promptly, with clear reporting and escalation protocols. - Balancing Authority with Approachability
Given the age group of students (16–19), the college required someone who could enforce rules firmly but fairly while building rapport and trust with the young adult population.
Our Solution
Optimum Group deployed a fully vetted, DBS-checked, SIA-licensed officer trained specifically in working with young people and in safeguarding. The guard was carefully selected for their professionalism, calm demeanour, and ability to balance authority with approachability.
Their role was integrated into the rhythm of the college day and extended beyond standard guarding functions:
- Front-of-Campus Monitoring
Oversaw student arrivals and enforced access protocols, helping to create a calm and orderly start to each day. - Visitor Coordination
All guests, parents, contractors, and deliveries were welcomed professionally, logged via the Askari App, and directed appropriately, thereby improving both safeguarding and the visitor experience. - Corridor Supervision
Maintained visibility and calm across high-traffic areas during breaks, reducing noise, deterring negative behaviour, and reinforcing college behavioural standards. - Positive Daily Interaction
Served as a daily point of contact and support for students and staff, building rapport and fostering mutual respect while serving as a deterrent to disruption. - Operational and Administrative Support
Provided hands-on support to reception, estates, and administration teams, especially during peak periods, by flagging site issues, assisting with student flow, and ensuring compliance with access procedures. - Technology Integration
Optimum introduced the Askari Guard House App to digitise incident logging, clock-ins/outs, shift scheduling, and real-time communication with both Optimum’s control room and college management.
Impact and Results
- Improved Entry Flow and Control
Clearer access control procedures and morning routines have led to significantly less congestion and more structured student movement. - Reduction in Behavioural Incidents
Reported behavioural issues in common areas decreased by approximately 70%, with faculty observing a noticeable improvement in corridor order and student conduct during breaks. - Enhanced Visitor Experience
The process for welcoming and directing visitors is now more structured, professional, and compliant with the school’s safeguarding policies. - Operational Efficiency Gains
Reception and administration teams experienced fewer interruptions, while the estates team benefited from real-time alerts and reporting, streamlining how site issues and safety risks are addressed. - Increased Confidence in Safety
The guard’s presence, professionalism, and proactive attitude reassured staff, students, and parents alike, making the campus feel more supported and secure.
Conclusion
By embedding a capable, highly trained officer into the daily operations of the college, Haringey Sixth Form has transformed its approach to security, from a reactive necessity to a proactive support system. The result is a learning environment that is safer, calmer, and more conducive to both academic focus and personal development. Optimum Group’s blend of physical presence, digital systems, and service-first ethos has delivered more than protection; it has added value to the entire college community.
