Avanti House Secondary School

Purpose-built automated gate replacement with non-contact safety systems, Paxton access control integration and battery backup at a secondary school in Stanmore, London.

Existing Gate Upgrade

Replacing failing gates with a purpose-built system

Avanti House Secondary School had an existing gate system consisting of originally manual main entrance gates that had been automated by a national company. The gates were being maintained, but because they were not purpose-built for automation they had quickly deteriorated, damaging the support posts and constantly breaking down.

We designed and installed a new set of purpose-built gates for automation using our bearing hinge design, with a matching finish to our other Avanti Schools projects. The same automation and safety devices are being standardised across the schools group to aid in maintenance and deliver consistency in costs over time.

We re-used the existing posts — repaired on site — to reduce the groundworks required, as the school had to remain in constant use. This involved weekend and night works to minimise disruption.

Learn about our gate systems

New purpose-built automated gates at Avanti House

Enhanced Safety

Non-contact safety for the school environment

The industry standard for automated gates is fitting rubber safety edges to meet impact force testing requirements. However, these leave many unprotected areas on a moving set of gates, and schools are often sold a false sense of security by companies who specify safety edges only.

Rubber safety edges are also the usual point of unreliability and failure, requiring high-cost service call-outs and parts replacement. In schools especially, we see climbing damage where children see opening gates as the potential for a fun ride — the fitted safety edges provide a lip to stand on and do not stop the gate from moving until it has impacted sufficiently on an obstacle.

Our non-contact approach to school gate safety ensures the gates do not move when a child is in the laser detection field of each leaf. There is no lip to stand on and the gate will only ever move when the detection field is clear, ensuring the safest operational standards for the school.

Discuss your school's safety needs

Non-contact laser safety detection on school gates

School Gate Automation

Paxton integration across all entry points

We integrated the existing school Paxton Net2 Plus system into the vehicle gates and new pedestrian gates. Previously the school had three separate intercom systems, all only answerable from the reception desk.

Now all gates can be opened by any intercom screen across the school as required, as well as remotely unlocked or opened on a centrally controlled timer.

Our school systems include battery backup that keeps the gates operational during a power outage to maintain security, while being linked to the fire alarm so that in the event of an evacuation the gates are opened automatically for emergency services.

Explore access control

Paxton Net2 access control integrated with school gates

Project Summary

What we delivered

A complete gate automation upgrade for Avanti House Secondary School, standardised across the Avanti Schools group.

Purpose-Built Automated Gates

New gates designed specifically for automation with bearing hinge design, replacing condemned legacy gates that were constantly failing.

Non-Contact Safety Systems

Laser detection fields on each gate leaf prevent movement when a person is present — far safer than standard rubber safety edges.

Paxton Net2 Plus Integration

Existing Paxton system extended to vehicle and pedestrian gates with unified intercom control from any screen across the school.

Battery Backup

Gates remain operational during power outages to maintain security, with fire alarm integration for automatic opening during evacuations.

Standardised Across Schools Group

Matching automation and safety devices across multiple Avanti schools for consistent maintenance costs and reliability.

Minimal Disruption Works

Existing posts repaired on site to reduce groundworks. Weekend and night shifts ensured the school remained in constant use throughout.