About the school‍

Colonel Frank Seely Academy is a mixed 11 to 18 secondary school and sixth form in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, with roughly 900 students on roll.

The challenge

‍The school approached us with a challenge, to improve their bell system was very outdated. Two things needed solving: the general movement and lateness of students between lessons, and the ability to speak to everyone on site when it mattered. The idea came from a conversation between the Head and the Operations Manager, prompted by seeing a system working well at another school in the Trust.

The solution

‍After a site survey and consultation with the school to understand their requirements, we provided some indicative costs for various configurations. Taking everything into account, the school settled on an Audiebant PA and site lockdown system across the school, which we have since installed. 

 In terms of trust in Elementary Technology as a reputable supplier, this was made easier as we'd already supplied another school in their Trust. We were delighted to be asked to supply, install, and support their new site communications infrastructure.

The result‍

The bells are now music tracks. Students know they need to be in their next lesson before the track finishes, and by all accounts they enjoy trying to beat it! Late to lesson marks are down, and the same system has been used for fire drills, lockdown drills, and even for Parents’ Evenings.

Network Manager Gareth Stott points out that spoken announcements stop students being confused about what they should be doing or where they should be going. 

His advice to other schools is that moving from an old bell system to this is quite a leap, but the benefits are massive. Asked whether he would recommend Elementary Technology and Audiebant, he said “very much so!”. The system we've supplied is one that the school couldn’t be without.

Hear more about the project in their own words -

Why did you decide you needed a PA / Lockdown system?

We purchased the PA/Lockdown system as our bell system was very outdated and we saw it being used at one of the other Trust schools to great effect.

Who in the school requested the system?

I believe it was a conversation between the Head and the Ops Manager

What problems were you looking to solve?

General movement and lateness of students to lessons. Also, the ability to inform all people when necessary.

How did you evaluate what was available?

The usage at one of the Trust schools was enough for us to see the potential so very little evaluation was necessary.

Why did you choose Elementary Technology for this project?

As you had dealt with one of the Trust schools, it made perfect sense to use you.

How has the system fulfilled your requirements?

The system has really fulfilled what needs we had. Our bells are music tracks which gives our students time to get from one lesson to the next before the track ends else you are late. They love the tracks and “try to beat” the music there. We have had fire drills / intruder drills which totally fulfilled the requirement and we even use it when we have Parents’ Evenings.

What benefits have you seen since implementation?

Late to lesson marks are now down.

What advice would you give to others looking for a similar solution?

A jump from the old bell system to this is quite the leap but the benefits are massive. Audio information with words means the students won’t be confused about what they should be doing or where they are going.

Would you recommend Elementary Technology and the Audiebant system to other schools?

Very much so. A great system that we now wouldn’t be able to live without.

Any other thoughts to help us improve?

Keep up the great service. I don’t think you can improve but feel free to prove me wrong.

‍

Mr Gareth Stott

Network Manager

Colonel Frank Seely Academy