A POOLE school wants to install a security fence and CCTV cameras due to concerns over the wellbeing of staff and students.

Corfe Hills School in Broadstone has submitted a planning application to Borough of Poole for a three metre mesh fence around the majority of the site - with a 1.5metre metal fence and gates at the front of the school.

Currently a low level three or two bar wooden fence separates the footpath to the north and western boundaries of the school, and chain link fence to the south. However in places there is either no fence or it is damaged.

The front of the secondary school is completely open to the public and accessible to anyone entering the site from Higher Blandford Road.

According to a statement from the Higher Blandford Road school there have been a number of "safeguarding incidents" at the school including thefts and vandalism which it says have been caused by a "lack of adequate site security".

"There are several areas around the site where the existing fence is either missing, damaged or not high enough to deter intruders, thus presenting a breach in the school’s security and compromising the wellbeing of staff and students," it added.

"The school is also surrounded by public footpaths leaving it vulnerable to intruders."

"Currently the inadequate site security means that access to the premises cannot be controlled. In addition students can leave the school site without permission."

The school has also asked for permission to install a number of CCTV cameras on the site.

There are also plans for a vehicle access controlled gate at the south-eastern corner of the school to provide security to the rear staff car park.

As a result of the proposals there will also be a change to how parents, staff and pupils enter the site and the school buildings.

Cllr Mike Brooke, who represents the Broadstone ward at Borough of Poole, said he welcomed the move for better security and safeguarding at the school.

But he said there were some concerns from residents about the height and proximity of the fence near the junction of Higher Blandford Road and Widworthy Drive.

"It could make some of the residents living in Widworthy Drive feel like they are being imprisoned and it's a very narrow footpath near that corner," he added.

Cllr Brooke said he has asked officers at the council to try and negotiate with the school in order to have that bit of fencing removed from the plans.