Comprehensive analysis of campus specific risks with recommendations and tools for mitigating themHelp staff prevent prepare for and respond to incidentsFormalised Risk Management processes and plans help meet Ofsted requirements
Creating safe and secure environments where learners thrive
About Watchword
We believe that campus security and Safeguarding are one and the same. They are often not treated as such. Our goal is to help schools, colleges and universities develop a robust, safeguarding aware approach to campus security whilst prioritising the student experience.
Our approach is built upon real world expertise supporting dozens of campuses and best practice in the security industry, with an assessment model built upon the principles of ISO 31000 Risk Management.
Our founder, Mark Thomson worked in online education for two and a half years before joining the Army, where he spent seven years as an officer in the Royal Artillery – deploying to Afghanistan in 2013.
Mark left the Army in 2017 and started Watchword in 2018 whilst working as Director of Student Services for a University College in Reading.
Most schools and colleges are seeing similar issues with student behaviour and external threats to the campus, our assessments help you understand the risks that exist and what you can do about them. We take pride in collaborating with the sector and adding value to the lives of students and staff alike.
Why use Watchword
We are campus security specialists. We apply our knowledge of managing security across a wide range of environments to the education sector.
We help your organisation better understand the security threats and vulnerabilities on each campus, better understanding leads to better security management.
Our Campus Risk Assessment Service enables you to understand the security culture on site, which is influenced by a range of factors including your approach to security training and awareness.
Proactive Security Management leads to a noticeable improvement in behaviour on campus, greater confidence amongst staff to challenge disruptive behaviour and greater awareness and observation of risks to learners beyond campus.
Watchword Accreditation & Standards
ISO 31000: Risk Management
Our Campus Assessments are built upon the principles found in ISO 31000 (Risk Management), our team of associates are security experts, we take that expertise and tailor it to the education sector’s unique requirements.
Security Industry Authority: Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
The ACS is a voluntary quality assurance scheme for private security companies. Fewer than 20% of the more than 4,000 security companies in the UK are SIA ACS accredited.
National Security Inspectorate: Silver Award (NSI Silver)
This accreditation is achieved and maintained through regular audits by the NSI, validating that Watchword operates to the following British Standards: BS 7858 – For the screening of security personnel and employees operating in the security industry, and BS 7499 – Static manned guarding and security.
Questions we always get asked
FAQs
What makes Watchword people focused?
As the business has grown one thing has become clear – we are good at building teams that add value, with members who enjoy working together. We reduce stress for your organisation by listening to your challenges and identifying practical and deliverable solutions. We work tirelessly to meet our clients’ expectations.
Why do companies outsource customer service?
Outsourcing Customer Service is a great way to absorb a team that is going to ensure a great user experience and will provide top-notch care without you having to set up and train the team yourself. After our initial consultation and test period, we will do that all for you.
Why Security, Administration and Customer Services?
These three services all have one thing in common – people. People are both your greatest asset and occasional liability. Yet they are at the core of every business, college, charity and school. Many organisations focus on strategy and processes, ignoring the operational side of the business – we can do that for you, taking away the worry.
What are the benefits of outsourcing?
Outsourcing helps you focus on what you are good at without having to worry about support services. Staff shortages are currently a huge problem in the UK, so partnering with us is one step toward adding resilience to your operation. We are completely motivated to deliver an outstanding service.
Who have we worked with?
