Ofsted inspects schools to assess their quality of teaching, student behaviour, leadership, and safeguarding policies.

Mark recently asked the Education Ministers if they would take steps to ensure that Ofsted also assesses the physical security of school buildings as part of its inspections.

In response, the Ministers confirmed that Ofsted does not currently set any specific expectations for schools regarding site security.

School staff and students must be able to teach and learn in a safe environment, so school leaders need to be alert to potential security threats. All schools should consider how local and national security incidents might impact on safety.

In response, Mark said:

"I hope Ministers will look again at my proposal to update the School Inspection Handbook to include specific assessments of physical security at school, college and nursery sites."