DALTON'S secondary school has upped its site security - fencing off green areas which were previously used by the community - in order to meet increased safeguarding policies for schools.

Dowdales School has erected fencing and security gates where the site was previously open.

The move follows Cumbria secondary schools The Queen Katherine School, Kendal and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School recently being judged as "inadequate" and requiring "special measures" by Ofsted, with particular criticism of ineffective safeguarding and site security.

Dowdales School has consulted on plans for the changes since October.

A Dalton resident has said the loss of a green play area in the town is a shame, as Dalton doesn't have a large park like Barrow.

Julie O’Connor, headteacher of Dowdales School, said: “Our school culture at Dowdales is that the safeguarding of students is our number one priority. The improvements to site security including the fencing and electronic door access are a planned part of that and a response to the increased Department for Education guidance on safeguarding.

"The school has consulted widely with the community and kept parents/carers up to date with the plans since mid-October.

"We are a good school, with outstanding safeguarding and recent site developments are a key aspect of the school’s continuous improvement.”

Commenting on safeguarding in schools, a spokeswoman for Ofsted said: “We are sometimes asked about how we want schools to manage their site security. While we do, of course, expect schools to fully consider and manage all possible risks, we do not hold any views on the best ways to do this nor do we hold a template for the ideal school site.

"For example, we do not have any set expectations on the presence or height of fences around schools. Our inspectors may ask about a fence because it is appropriate to do so in the circumstances of a particular school."

Roy Gawne, of Romney Park, Dalton, wrote to the Evening Mail about the "sad loss of a playing area".

Mr Gawne said: "It is with great sadness and disappointment at what today's society has come to, when we see a community school put up security gates and fencing.

"I have lived in Dalton for more than 30 years and, although I did not attend Dowdales School, I have been part of it through my three children. Many summer evenings and weekends were spent playing football and rounders on the 'top pitch' as if it were a local park.

"Unfortunately some saw it as a place to let their pets roam free or a place to pitch a tent. Dalton has no park areas like Barrow or Ulverston. It has no real community green area where families can sit on the grass and watch their kids run around barefoot.

"I understand the reasons cited for the erection of the fences although I do not always agree. Thank you, Dowdales for all the wonderful carefree years you gave me with my children. I just wonder where the new generations will play."