A “vulnerable” primary school is to beef up its security amid fears being close to Canterbury Cathedral puts it at greater risk of a terrorist attack.

Bosses at St Thomas’ Catholic School in Military Road want to double the height of metal railings around the site’s entire perimeter.

Currently, the school says its boundary fencing is too low and the ease in which it could be scaled by intruders is causing concern.

Head teacher Lisa D’Agostini has now submitted a planning application to the city council asking for 2.5-metre railings in a bid to strengthen safety.

The proposals come after terror attacks across Europe were blamed for a drastic fall in tourist numbers at the Cathedral.

Documents submitted by the school’s planning agent, CWA, say: “Due to recent terrorist incidents, the school consider that they are particularly vulnerable due to the close proximity of Canterbury Cathedral, the height of the existing fencing and the relative ease by which the fencing could be scaled.

“The decision has been made to apply for planning permission to improve the overall appearance of the school boundaries and improve the security of the site as a whole.”

The school’s finance and personnel manager Jack Devine played down the fears, however, saying the higher fencing is needed for “general site security”.

If approved, the new fence will be an improvement to the current perimeter which varies in height between 1.2 and 1.5 metres and is made up of steel mesh and chain link.

Canterbury MP and former teaching assistant Rosie Duffield understands the reasoning behind the plans.

“I wholly trust the school’s leadership and governing body to make difficult decisions such as this,” she said.

“Having worked in and around schools for many years, I know that students’ safety is always paramount and this decision will not have been taken lightly.”

Visitors to the school currently sign in and out at the office reception and wear a badge while on the site.

The application was submitted last week and will be considered by planning officers at Canterbury City Council before a decision is made.

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