Assemblies and events that reach every learner, whatever their needs, using technology that works every time.

Warren Wood School is a special school. The children it serves have complex and varied needs, and the technology that plays a valuable role in children’s learning every single day. Since working with Elementary Technology, their school hall has become one of the most valued spaces in the building.

It wasn't always this way. The previous setup - a misaligned projector, trailing cables and crackly unreliable audio - made even routine assemblies a logistical challenge. "We might as well have had an OHP (Overhead Projector)," says Claire Ellis, Headteacher. "It wasn’t at all fit for purpose."

That's all changed.

A space designed for these children

Getting the hall right meant thinking carefully about how the space actually works for Warren Wood's pupils. The stage, which had become a distraction and sometimes a safety concern during assemblies, was boarded up as part of the project - removing a constant temptation for pupils and allowing staff to focus on what they were there to do. The new screen now drops down at the right height from the wall at the front, giving children something purposeful to focus on. When it's not needed, it retracts completely, leaving the hall clear for PE and other activities.

Every element of the installation was planned around the school's specific needs. This wasn't a case of specifying a standard package and handing it over.

The transformation

Working with EdTech Consultant Sam Wilkinson, Warren Wood now has a ceiling-mounted Epson projector with a motorised drop-down screen, wall-mounted speakers, and a clean, cable-free setup. No trailing wires. No last-minute scramble to get the technology working before the bell goes.

In assemblies, children who rely on Makaton, Signing Hands, and strong visual cues now have a large, clear screen to follow. Engagement has improved noticeably. Visitors from the local community such as police officers and educational speakers, can connect a laptop or USB stick and present without any fuss. At the Christmas fayre, Claire used the screen to project a roaring fire and played music through the speakers, creating a welcoming atmosphere for parents as they arrived.

Staff meetings have been transformed too. Elementary Technology have also provided meeting room technology to enhance staff meetings. Safeguarding training sessions that previously failed mid-video now run without interruption. Staff can follow presentations properly, engage with video content together, and make the most of the time they have. No more relying on printouts, no more promising to send links on afterwards. "You're not trying to start a meeting and going, 'hang on, the audio isn't working,'" says Claire. "Now it just works the first time."

Unexpected benefits

Some of the most meaningful uses have been unexpected. Pupils who take music lessons are able to share filmed performances on the big screen, contributing to school life without the anxiety of performing live infront of their peers. Children across the school's different learning pathways,from formal learners to those who need intensive sensory and visual support, can all access the same assembly experience.

"It's inclusive," says Claire. "You're doing an assembly that meets all the pathways."

Working with Elementary Technology

Claire's classroom screens and the training her staff received are a story for another day. But her reflection on what it's like to work with Elementary Technology is worth sharing. Claire was clear she wasn't looking for all-singing, all-dancing technology for Ofsted's benefit. She wanted her staff to walk into the room and trust that the technology would work. Sam's approach throughout the project was to listen first, followed by a plan of the right technology to suit the school’s needs.

"Sam took the time to listen and really understood what we needed."

As well as ongoing support for school hall technology, our training team continue to help the school with their classroom technology, taking a bite-sized approach that fits around the reality of a demanding school day. Short, practical, and followed by time to have a go. "The staff went away inspired," says Claire. "And then they were given the time to have a go at it."

Warren Wood and Elementary Technology continue to work closely together, exploring how technology can support schools, teacher and pupils with unique needs, and sharing what’s possible with others. There's plenty more still to come.

"From the start," says Claire, "it's been a really positive journey."

Contact us to find out how your school can benefit from similar solutions. At Elementary Technology, we’re on your side – supporting you from Planning and Choosing, through Buying and Using, to achieving real Impact in the classroom.