Newlands Junior School in Millbrook has been awarded with "safe school" status after linking security issues into the curriculum and prompting pupils to take more responsibility for their school.

Headteacher Nicky Jefferson said: "We are delighted to be the first school to achieve the safe schools recognition. Over the past few years we have been badly hit by vandalism on the school site.

"In order to ensure our children and staff are safe in our school we have put a number of measures in place. We have increased the security of the school building by erecting an inner fence on our site as many locals use our school as a thoroughfare to the local shops."

Security locks have also been placed on all outside doors to keep children safe.

Pupils and parents have become involved with safety awareness and have designed posters to publicise the security campaign.

Education executive member Councillor Richard Harris said: "The scheme encourages schools to look at measures to make their environments safer and involves their pupils in coming up with these security improvements.

"I trust that Newland's achievement will encourage other schools seeking a safer school environment."

Southampton's crime reduction officer PC Steve Postlethwaite also welcomed the scheme and said it helped to awaken children's awareness of security issues.

"The safe school scheme is an excellent example of what can be achieved by the police working together with the local authority, schools and members of the community to make Hampshire a safer place to live," he said.

The award was presented at Southampton's third Safe Schools Conference at the Highfield House Hotel, Highfield Lane.