A Familiar Face at the Heart of the School Community
The day starts early on school grounds in North London. Deliveries arrive, colleagues prepare for the day ahead, and hundreds of students begin to gather at the gates.
Jose Adao, Lead Security Officer, is already on-site preparing for the busy day ahead.
He manages access, observes what is happening around him, and brings a calm, steady presence to one of the busiest points on site. In a school that brings together more than 1,700 primary, secondary, and sixth-form students, the pace is constant, and the environment is complex.
A Different Path into Security
Jose’s route into security is not typical. He spent 19 years working in computer technology before a phase of personal change led him to take a new direction.
He joined OCS nearly three years ago. Those early days brought challenges, new systems, different expectations, and unfamiliar routines. However, he soon adapted to the new environment.
What started out as a part-time role has now grown into a full-time position, where his strengths make the greatest difference.
A Personal Connection to the School
This is more than a place of work for Jose.
Across almost three decades, all 4 of his children have attended the school, already familiar with the environment, the routines, and many of the teaching staff before joining the team. That familiarity helped him settle quickly and gave him a strong sense of purpose in the role.
He understands the pressures families face. He recognises the importance of a safe and supportive environment. For him, this is personal.
That connection shapes how he approaches each day. He is not only protecting a site; he is helping protect a place and the people who have been part of his family’s life.
Rooted in Edgware
Edgware is a diverse and active part of North London. It is a place where the communities are close, and relationships matter.
Jose lives nearby. Many of the students and families passing through the school gates know him not solely as a security officer but also as someone from their community.
That connection shapes how he works.
He recognises faces. He understands behaviours. He knows when something feels right and when it does not. Conversations start from a place of familiarity, which helps him manage situations calmly and effectively.
Outside of work, he remains closely involved in the community. People turn to him for advice, support, and guidance. He carries that same sense of responsibility into his role each day.
“I’m here as a security professional, but also as a parent. I talk to people in a way they understand, and that makes a difference. My communication just flows naturally and I treat people with respect, and they give that respect back.”
Jose Adao
Lead Security Officer
Managing a Complex and Changing Environment
Jose’s role goes far beyond monitoring the building’s main entrance.
He is responsible for controlling vehicle and pedestrian access, challenging unknown visitors, and making sure that safeguarding procedures are followed at all times. During peak periods, he manages large volumes of students, parents, and visitors moving through the same space, ensuring a safe and organised environment.
Jose manages early deliveries and contractor arrivals on site and works closely with staff to resolve any issues quickly. Parents arriving without appointments, requesting to speak with teachers, changes to the school day, and high footfall all require calm, clear decision-making.
There are also challenges beyond the gates. Being local means Jose often recognises individuals from the surrounding area. This awareness allows him to identify potential risks early and step in before situations escalate.
He takes a proactive approach, using communication and presence to prevent issues rather than reacting once they develop.
“Because I know the community, I can spot when something isn’t right. Sometimes a conversation at the right moment is enough to stop a problem before it starts.”
Jose Adao
Lead Security Officer
Acting with Certainty and Care
Working in a school environment carries clear responsibilities. Jose is always aware that he is supporting young people.
There are moments when quick decisions matter. In one instance, he identified a situation developing that could have led to harm. He stepped in, helped ensure a student reached safety, and supported the follow-up through clear communication and reporting through the necessary school channels.
His approach combines professionalism with empathy. He remains calm, speaks clearly but firmly, and focuses on resolving situations in a way that protects everyone involved.
Building Trust Through Everyday Actions
Jose sees his role as protecting the young people around him. He takes this responsibility seriously and values every interaction as a chance to guide, support, or reassure.
He has built strong relationships across the school and wider community. Seeing students grow, recognising former pupils, and knowing he has helped keep them safe gives his work meaning.
Support from colleagues, especially his reporting manager Ceri Green, has helped him through challenges and supported his transition into a new career.
Jose is a consistent presence in the school. He supports colleagues, works closely with staff, and manages day-to-day situations with a calm, steady approach. This builds trust with students, parents, and colleagues, who rely on him to handle situations with the right balance of firmness and respect.
Encouraging Future Pathways
Jose’s impact extends beyond the school gates. He was invited by the Head of Child Education to attend the school’s on-site careers fair, where he spoke to students about working in security and the wider opportunities available within facilities management. He shared practical insight from his own experience, helping students understand the different paths they can take and the skills that matter in real working environments.
The invitation reflects the trust the school places in him and the positive influence he has built through his day-to-day presence. It also shows how strong relationships between colleagues and customers can create wider value for the community.
Connections and Commitment
Jose’s story reflects a different side of facilities management. It is not only about systems and processes, but it is about the people, relationships, and being present in the moments that count.
His local knowledge, personal connection to the school, and commitment to doing the right thing shape the environment around him each day. Technology and procedures support the role, but it is his judgment and approach that make a real difference.
He continues to develop and is focused on building his future in the role he loves. His aim is clear: to protect people, support colleagues, and help maintain a setting where everyone can learn and thrive in a safe environment.
