Tony Roe oversees more than 2,300 students in his role as headteacher of Barking Abbey School in Sandringham Road.
In recent years, and like many schools across London, surrounding roads and parks have become the scenes of police incidents.
Since Mr Roe assumed his position as head in 2020, Newsquest London understands there have been five stabbings of young people nearby.
One pupil was stabbed in Longbridge Road and left in life-threatening condition.
The approach to knife crime in schools is one that has changed following a decision taken in May that saw safer schools officers (SSOs) dissolved.
SSOs were first introduced to schools in London in 2009 to provide visibility, support, and early intervention to crime in education place settings.
More than 370 school officers were stripped of their roles in May, as part of measures by the Metropolitan Police to deal with a £260 million budget shortfall.
They have now been given new roles as designated ward officers – children and young people (DWO-CYP).
The Met revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request that: “Whilst DWO-CYPs will continue to support school partnerships, they will not be visible officers assigned and stationed to deploy within a designated school.”
Barking Abbey is just one of the schools now adjusting to addressing knife crime within its walls without the presence of SSOs.
We sat down with Mr Roe to discuss what steps the school are taking to help protect its pupils.
He said: “Staff are on the school gates at the start and end of every school day, welcoming students into school and ensuring they make their way home safely.
“We also go to the shops at Faircross (Parade) until about 3.30pm most days, school finishes at 3pm. We occasionally go to Mayesbrook and Barking Parks as well. This is on end of term days and when we are aware of a recent incident.”
This forms part of the borough-wide Lost Hours campaign, which helps to raise awareness of the potential for youth violence and anti-social behaviour between the hours of 3pm and 7pm.
According to Barking and Dagenham Council, data has revealed an increase in such offences between these “lost hours”, typically after young people finish school and when parents get home from work.
The school is open with pupils and staff when there are incidents in the surrounding area.
Mr Roe said: “The school produces a weekly newsletter. We share parenting advice regularly on a range of topics.
“These include how to be safe in the community and how to remind them to be safe.
“During the recent wave of incidents we did advise children to go straight home and also shared communication from the Met. We also update our community after the arrests the Met made to help build confidence in the police.”
It is understood that this “recent wave” refers to a spate of muggings and threats of violence reported in surrounding parks between October to February.
Barking Abbey School also works with The Ben Kinsella Trust, one of the UK’s leading anti-knife crime charities.
The trust was set up in the memory of 16-year-old Ben, who was stabbed whilst out with friends in Islington.
It offers young people immersive and purpose-built exhibition spaces and workshops to address knife crime and a space to discuss how to keep themselves safe.
Mr Roe said: “As part of our pastoral programme we deliver sessions on knife and drug awareness, how to stay safe, road safety and online safety. These are tailored for each year group.
“These themes are revisited in weekly assemblies.
“Year 10 work with the Ben Kinsella Trust and all of them have visited the exhibition produced by them at the town hall during the school year.
“Each year group of pupils work outside of school with the trust.”
