With PFI contracts expiring and new security requirements emerging, many schools are reviewing how they manage security, facilities and operational risk across their estates.

First Response Group (FRG) supports education providers with integrated security, facilities management and cleaning solutions designed to strengthen safeguarding, improve operational visibility and enhance day-to-day control.

Case study: East London secondary school

A large secondary school in East London required a full upgrade of its security infrastructure within a strict six-week summer window.

With outdated systems and increasing safeguarding demands, the school required a solution delivered quickly without disruption.

FRG delivered an end-to-end security upgrade, installing 126 CCTV cameras across the estate, migrating access control from Paxton Net2 to Paxton10, and completing full site-wide recabling to ensure long-term reliability.

All works were delivered within six weeks, with no impact on school operations.

The result is an integrated security environment, providing enhanced visibility, stronger access control and greater confidence for staff in managing incidents and safeguarding responsibilities.

FRG continues to support the site through an ongoing servicing and maintenance programme, ensuring systems remain fully operational.

The project highlights the importance of delivering security upgrades within live education environments, where safeguarding, timing and minimal disruption are critical.

Planning for what comes next

For many schools, security upgrades are part of a wider programme of estate improvement, cost control and operational efficiency. As estates evolve and operational pressures increase, there is a growing need for solutions that are scalable, reliable and easy to manage.

This extends beyond security systems to ensuring facilities management and cleaning services are aligned to the needs of the environment, from compliance and maintenance through to the day-to-day experience of staff and students.

Alongside security systems, FRG provides facilities management and cleaning services tailored to education environments. All services are delivered by fully screened and vetted, DBS-checked engineers and operatives, ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance within education environments.

This approach is underpinned by recognised industry standards and professional accreditation, including four NSI Gold accreditations and corporate membership of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO). This ensures services are delivered in line with best practice, with a focus on quality, compliance and continuous improvement.

One provider. Total accountability.

Working with a single partner simplifies service delivery, improves coordination and helps maintain consistent standards across school estates.

Find out more on our website.