SECURITY measurers for a West Somerset school playing field have been approved to prevent unauthorised people gaining entry and children from absconding.

Quantock Education Trust has been given planning permission to install a steel gate at Stogursey Primary School.

Trust estates officer Daniel Hill said the gate would improve security in the school for child protection and safeguarding purposes.

Mr Hill said the playing field land was owned by the Bath and Wells Diocesan Board of Finance and the school had a right of tenure by leasehold.

He said the gate would be fitted to a playing field entrance on the western boundary which was used used for maintenance purposes and led directly from a public footpath.

Mr Hill said: “Currently, a low, agricultural style, five-bar wooden gate is in place.

“This is in poor condition and cannot be secured to prevent unauthorised access onto the field by members of the public using the adjacent footpath.

“The gate also does not prevent pupils from absconding from the school grounds.

“Both of these issues are child protection and safeguarding risks for the school that need to be mitigated to ensure regulatory standards are met.”

The school was given permission a year ago for a new gateway in another corner of the field and last December was allowed to install security fencing between the school and an adjoining neighbour's property for safeguarding and child protection purposes.

Somerset Council planning officer Sarah Wilsher said although the school buildings were grade two listed, the six feet high metal gate would not be visible and therefore did not affect their setting.

Ms Wilsher said timber farm gates were preferred in a rural location, but the proposed gate was appropriate for school grounds and being green and in a mesh pattern would blend in with the surrounding verdant greenery.