2020 goes back to school

08 Sep 09

The company has completed work on the £250,000 state-of-the-art security system at Bede Academy in Blyth, providing a safe and secure environment for its future students.

The system, which consists of an internal and external CCTV system which uses megapixel cameras and is fully integrated in a site wide access control system, was installed by 2020 Vision following a commission to undertake the work from primary electrical contractor Veale Nixon.

2020 Vision was chosen to deliver the needed safety aspects having previously delivered a similar project at Newcastle’s Excelsior Academy.

Bede Academy, which is due to welcome the first of its potential 1,800 students this week, comprises two buildings in the south of Blyth, one for children from 3-11 and the other for students aged 11-18. Bede is sponsored by Sir Peter Vardy’s Emmanuel Schools Foundation (ESF) and will be the fourth school in the ESF family.

Peter Houlis, managing director of 2020 Vision, said: “All education establishments present specific challenges from a security perspective and The Bede Academy is no different. The safety and wellbeing of students and staff as well as protecting valuable assets provided to enhance the life chances of young people in Blyth were paramount to Bede.

“Our experience tells us that integrating a number of security systems is ideal to meet the needs of the school. Where systems have not been integrated, security gaps naturally emerge which make the site a little more vulnerable and increase the workload on security and facilities management teams."

Over 200 cameras have been utilised across the site of the academy, ensuring that all areas of the school are covered by the integrated surveillance system including classrooms, corridors and common areas.

Along with the cameras 2020 has installed 18 passive infrared detectors, door controllers and has implemented a smart card control system within the premises.

Mark Boyers, project manager of Bede Academy, said: “Our main objectives for the system were for it to deliver a high level of security, whilst minimising the manpower required to monitor and maintain it. As such it needed to maximise operator efficiency, provide complete accountability in case of incidents and deliver clear return on investment over time.

“The system also needed to be low maintenance so that extensions, upgrades and software patches can be easily implemented with minimum disruption. 2020 delivered exactly that. I am confident that because of its state-of-the-art security system Bede Academy will provide a safe and secure environment for its students, staff and visitors alike.”

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