SPY cameras, security fencing and steel doors would have been unthinkable at the majority of schools just a few years ago. But that was before innocent children were slaughtered and attacked in places that were once considered safe and secure environments.

SECURITY is high on the agenda for all schools and colleges in Bolton and across the country following the Dunblane massacre and Monday's machete attack.

While education bosses, teachers, governors and parents are keen to protect the children in their care they do not want schools turned into fortresses.

Bolton has five nursery schools, 104 primary schools, 14 secondary schools, seven special schools, two sixth form colleges and one college of further education.

Of the schools the BEN contacted all head teachers said improved security was a priority and all stressed they were struggling financially to implement schemes.

Some have funded more advance security schemes themselves while others have had to make do with simple measures that cost very little to implement. At Brandwood County Primary School, security measures were introduced two years ago - well before Dunblane. The school has three surveillance cameras, with sensors and infra-red, monitoring entrances as well as security doors and alarms.

Headteacher, Mike Chapman said facilities were funded through "careful budgeting." He added: "Security has always been a priority here. However we have tried to keep such measures as unobtrusive as possible."

South Bolton Sixth Form College not only has a part-time security patrol it also has improved fencing and restricted access to entrances. Principal, Roy Whittle, said the measures were implemented before Dunblane when the college spent £5000 of its own budget on security . It plans to spend thousands more this year.

Making students and pupils mindful to the possible dangers in schools and college is an effective way to safe-guard them. Richard Fairclough, the headteacher at Horwich CP School said stressing "stranger danger" to youngsters was very important, and pupils had regular visits from the local police liaison officer to get the message across.

Headteacher at Smithills School, Mike Kehoe, said a signing in system for visitors had been implemented at his school, like many others in the borough. "We have had security protection for a number of years but that was aimed at property. The emphasis now is to protect pupils and staff," he said.

Other measures implemented included the use of radio telephones by teachers while in the grounds to ensure contact at all times.

Headteacher of Rivington and Blackrod High School, Jeffrey Mills says the size of his school made any security measures difficult to implement.

Mr Mills said: "There are no funds available. We cannot choose between books and equipment and security such as surveillance cameras."

An identity disc system is being introduced at the school in September. This is a relatively cheap solution to the problem and for some schools schemes like this seem the only option open to them. Many schools like All Saints CE Primary School in Farnworth have already applied for funds for spy cameras but were not successful in their bid.

In the mean time schools do the best they can with the funds available and live with the hope they will never have to face a nightmare situation.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.