School Access Control Systems at Newham College: Modernising the East Ham Campus Entrance
Who Are Newham College?
Newham College is a further education college in East London, providing education and training to students across the local community.
Working under Anchor Security, we were brought in to modernise the entrance control equipment at Newham College’s East Ham Campus. The project involved removing ageing swing gate equipment and replacing it with two stainless steel UKT-29 speed gates, creating a more modern and efficient entrance while working within the existing layout of the site.
For busy education environments, effective school access control systems play an important role in managing movement through key entrances while creating a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.
What Challenge Did Newham College Face?
The existing entrance control equipment at the East Ham Campus was beginning to show its age.
Older-style pulse swing gates were already installed at the site, but Newham College wanted to replace these with a more modern entrance control solution that better suited the requirements of the campus.
However, replacing existing equipment isn’t simply a case of removing one system and putting another in its place.
The new gates needed to work within the available space and complement the equipment and surroundings already present. Maintaining the appearance of the entrance was therefore an important consideration alongside improving its functionality.
Accessibility also needed to be taken into account. The new entrance required wider lanes to accommodate disabled access while still filling the existing spacing effectively.
These requirements meant the replacement access control turnstiles needed to be carefully specified around the site rather than relying on a standard configuration.
What Were UK Turnstiles’ Goals for This Project?
Our objective was to replace the ageing equipment with a modern entrance control solution that fitted naturally into the existing environment.
Working alongside Anchor Security, we needed to ensure the new system:
- Replaced the existing pulse gates efficiently.
- Provided wider lanes to support accessible entry.
- Made effective use of the existing space.
- Featured a stainless steel finish that complemented the existing equipment.
- Could be installed with minimal disruption to the college.
Because the work was taking place within an active education environment, the timing of the installation was also important. We therefore planned the work for the weekend, allowing our engineers to complete the replacement while minimising disruption to the day-to-day operation of the campus.
Project Breakdown
The project began with the removal of the existing pulse gates from the entrance at Newham College’s East Ham Campus.
With the ageing equipment removed, we installed two UKT-29 stainless steel speed gates in their place.
Rather than supplying a standard configuration, the new gates were specified to work with the existing dimensions of the entrance. Wider lanes provided the necessary space for accessible movement while also ensuring the new equipment filled the available openings effectively.
This is particularly important when upgrading existing school access control infrastructure. Every building has different dimensions and existing conditions, so replacement equipment needs to be considered as part of the wider entrance rather than in isolation.
The stainless steel finish was another deliberate part of the specification.
Newham College already had stainless steel equipment within the entrance environment, so supplying the UKT-29s in the same finish allowed the new installation to complement what was already there. The result is a modernised entrance without the replacement gates appearing disconnected from the surrounding equipment.
The UKT-29s provide a contemporary alternative to the ageing swing gates while retaining the controlled pedestrian movement required within a busy college environment.
For education facilities considering upgrades to their access control systems for schools and colleges, projects like this demonstrate that modernisation doesn’t necessarily require completely redesigning an existing entrance. The right equipment can instead be configured around the available space and operational requirements.
Why Speed Gates Work Well in Education Environments
Education sites present a particular challenge for entrance control.
Large numbers of students and staff can arrive or leave within relatively short periods, meaning entrances need to manage significant pedestrian movement without creating unnecessary bottlenecks.
At the same time, colleges need an effective way of controlling movement through key access points.
Modern speed gates provide a useful balance between these requirements. They create clearly defined lanes through an entrance while allowing authorised users to move efficiently through the system.
Compared with ageing entrance equipment, modern security turnstiles can also help create a more contemporary first impression at reception and entrance areas.
Accessibility remains equally important. Incorporating appropriately sized wider lanes ensures the entrance can accommodate a broader range of users without treating accessibility as an afterthought.
For Newham College, specifying the UKT-29s around these requirements meant the new system could improve the entrance while fitting naturally into the existing campus environment.
Completing the Installation With Minimal Disruption
Working within schools, colleges and other active environments requires careful consideration of when installation work takes place.
Rather than carrying out the replacement during the normal college week, we completed the project over the weekend.
This approach helped minimise the impact of the work on students and staff while allowing the college to benefit from its upgraded entrance without a prolonged installation programme.
Efficient installation is particularly valuable when replacing existing commercial access control systems, as the entrance may already form an important part of how people move through the building each day.
Products used
- 2 x UKT-29 Stainless Steel Speed Gates
- Wider accessible entrance lanes
- Removal of existing pulse swing gates