New security fence installed at Haute Vallée school following knife incident

A new 2.4-metre security fence has been installed around Haute Vallée School following an incident in which a former pupil was found on the campus carrying a knife.

The fencing was put up before planning permission had been granted, with the school saying the work was considered necessary because of concerns over safety and security.

A retrospective planning application has now been submitted to regularise the installation.

In its application, the school said the new perimeter fence was intended to secure the site and prevent unauthorised access.

The school referred to a recent incident involving a former pupil who was found on campus with a knife. The pupil was subsequently arrested and later sentenced to more than two years in youth detention.

According to the school's application, teaching staff played a key role in dealing with the incident.

The school said the circumstances led it to conclude that installing the fence could not wait for the usual planning process.

It stated: "It was decided that the fence was critical to safety and security on the site and as a result was installed prior to obtaining planning consent."

The school has told planning officials that it is willing to work with the department to resolve the retrospective application.

The fencing is described as a green metal grid system, similar to fencing already used elsewhere on the school site and at other schools in Jersey.

The application says the fencing is designed to blend with the surrounding green hedgerows and has been installed using Zaun Duo 8 perimeter fencing, a system designed for use around schools.

The panels are approximately 2.4 metres high.

The school has argued that the visual impact of the new fencing is limited and can be assessed from the site itself.

The retrospective planning application will now be considered by the relevant authorities.