November 11th, 2024
Boundary Fencing for Educational Facilities
Designing fencing and gate solutions for schools in Aotearoa requires careful planning to align with the Ministry of Education’s guidelines outlined in the Designing for Schools document.
The Ministry of Education's (MoE) goal is to create open and welcoming environments for the community. In line with this, fences are not required, with the preference to use landscaping as an alternative, where possible. However, when fencing is necessary, it should be designed with the same welcoming and inclusive objectives in mind. The Ministry of Education recommends evaluating the need for fencing on a case-by-case basis. Schools generally bear the costs, except when accommodations for learning support are necessary. It’s our experience that fencing for learning support is the most common reason for schools to invest in fencing.
Why Schools Might Need Fencing
Schools may opt for fencing for several reasons:
● Safety - preventing access to hazardous areas like roads or waterways
● Security - managing unauthorised access by outsiders
● Privacy - for both those in the school and their neighbouring properties
● Noise Management - reducing noise disturbances such as traffic
● Practical Uses - such as containing sports equipment
● Learning Support Needs- providing safe and inclusive environments for students who require learning support.
Selecting the Right Fencing
When choosing fencing materials and designs, schools must balance safety with community accessibility. Open, transparent fencing styles, such as aluminium vertical bars or fin fencing, can offer both security and visibility, maintaining the welcoming feel of school grounds. We have provided fencing of these types for schools throughout New Zealand, with the Assure HD panel specifically designed to comply with MoE specifications for schools, as our most used product. Additionally, strategic planting can soften the visual impact of fencing. Timber-style fencing can be appropriate to meet noise reduction or privacy objectives.
Different types of fencing serve various functions:
● Privacy Fencing (for neighbouring properties)
○ Prioritises visual privacy and minimise climb ability
○ Focuses on safety, maintaining transparency and restricting climbing opportunities
○ Uses dense materials for effective noise reduction. MoE recommends these are only installed where necessary
● Sports Field Fencing
○ This fencing should be avoided where possible but can be installed to protect surrounding buildings and prevent the loss of balls to neighbouring gardens
● Fencing for Special Needs Students
○ Designs should be tailored to meet the specific needs of learners. MoE staff are available to provide support with the design for these areas.
○ Ensure compliance with Building Code regulations for swimming pools.
In our experience, school grounds often include sloping areas, particularly where boundary or safety fences are required. A critical consideration in these cases is ensuring the space between the bottom of the fence and the ground is minimal, preventing children from squeezing underneath.
When tasked with providing a solution for Auckland Grammar School, which needed a safety fence to secure an area with a steep drop, we collaborated closely with the project manager and school board to achieve both safety and aesthetic goals. To accommodate the changing slope, we used adjustable raking panels, ideal for fencing on uneven or rocky terrain. We selected black powder-coated Assure HD fencing, chosen for its durability and ability to blend seamlessly with the environment.
Durability and Compliance
Fences for schools must be constructed using durable materials, with steel and aluminium being acceptable choices. MoE specifications require materials that meet rigorous standards to ensure long-term performance. The design should prioritise strength, minimal maintenance, and low environmental impact, such as choosing lowest embodied carbon solutions.
Safety Guidelines
Safety is paramount when designing school fences. Typically, fences are between 1.2m and 1.8m high, with vertical rods spaced no more than 100mm apart. Boundary fences are required to be 1.8m. The MoE guidelines require designs to be non-hazardous, avoiding elements like arrowhead shapes, which are designed to prevent climbing but can result in injury. Urban Group has used double top rails for school fencing to increase the strength of the fence, while offering a safer finish. Additionally, it is important to avoid having climbable structures near boundary fences.
Fencing for Learning Support Needs
Funding is available to help schools provide safety fencing for special needs situations, such as preventing children from leaving school grounds during school time or providing safe outdoor areas for them to relax. Fencing or fencing modifications can be implemented if there is serious risk to the student.
The MoE recommends schools investigate other options first: “Give students every chance to learn to stay on the school grounds.” Funding for fencing is only considered after looking at all other solutions. Often an occupational therapist will provide an assessment for individual students who need additional support and provide recommendations for fencing. If required, the fence will be funded through learning support property modification funding. More information about learning support property modifications can be found on the MOE website.
Gates and Access Control
There are a number of guidelines and requirements for school gates. The following should be considered:
● Gates must be wide enough to avoid bottlenecks or pinch points, such as at the beginning and end of the school day
● Sightlines must be clear for safety, especially considering the visibility of young children.
● Emergency vehicle access must be planned for
● Gates must be able to continue working with heavy daily use
● Gates at the school boundary must be 1.8m in height
With gates that may open and close hundreds of times per day, there is a move towards hydraulic hinges, which are more durable, and provide a slow self-closing movement. We have worked with schools to provide hydraulic hinges that will meet their requirements.
Staff car parks can be an important safety point for schools with boundary fences. If boundary fences are required for security, car parks are often fitted with automated gates to ensure the school grounds remain secure. When Urban Group worked with Clevedon School to provide a safety solution for their staff car park, we provided automated gates which worked on a timer, to ensure the gate remained closed during school hours.
From privacy to security, designing and specifying school fences involves balancing numerous considerations. Our team has extensive experience in providing boundary solutions to schools, with compliant gate and fencing solutions for a range of fencing objectives. If you’d like to tap into our expertise, knowledge and experience, we’d love to help you with your next project. Get in touch today.