Schools, aspecially primary schools are jumpy over 'safeguarding' their charge. Basically it's a national issue forced upon schools and inpected and reported upon by OFSTED.
Some of the measures taken by schools are OTT but aim to achieve zero risk to pupils in every physical and emotional sense. Implementing some of these measures can induce a degree of paranoia amongst teachers, non teaching staff, parents and pupils leading to an avalanche of incidents requiring attention and action. There is little room to manoeuvre for schools who are just getting to grips with the consequences of failing to fully implement safeguarding measures - a failed inspection irrespective of educational standards and performance. Common sense undermines the perceived safety achieved by undeviating adherence to policies and procedures so it tends to be excluded from the implementation of safeguarding measures.
Extending the 'safeguarding zone' outside of school is, perhaps, overzealous but indicative of risk elimination measures adopted by many schools. There should not be any need for raised blood pressure on anyone's part. Calm but assertive enquiries and even tempered responses could have established an agreement.