Broadclyst Community Primary School New Hall – AV From Every Direction
Education
Published: December 9, 2024
Being part of a digital academy trust, Broadclyst Community Primary School has often been at the forefront of using technology in education and is even world-renowned for it.
APi Sound and Visual has been the long-serving audio-visual integrator of choice for the school even before the academy trust was created, which meant we were the first to call when an extension was built to the original schoolhouse to add a café and large hall to the school’s facilities.
It was clear that technology had to be at the heart of the hall, which would be a multi-functioning space, used for mealtimes, assemblies, drama performances and sports lessons. The design of the space meant that sliding partition doors could be placed to separate the main hall and the multi-use teaching space next to the café, which added another layer of complexity to the design for the AV system.
Certainly, one of the biggest challenges was creating a completely flexible space to cater for all the events that would be taking place there, but without making it complicated to use. It was teachers or lunchtime staff who would be using the technology more than anyone else, so the system we installed needed to be easily accessible to these users.
Working with the school and liaising with the other contractors on-site during the build phase, the system started to take shape and once the work was finished and commissioning had taken place, it was clear that we had succeeded in our challenge.
At the heart of our solution was an iPad-based control system, with a custom layout featuring individual pages for the different parts of the system. As the hall layout changed depending on the event, two laser projectors were installed to give the option for portrait or landscape orientation, and the speakers were configured to allow for the sound to follow the orientation of the projection.
Audio in the hall for day-to-day use was handled by an audio matrix, while a large 32-channel digital mixing desk was installed in a portable trolley for drama performances where additional equipment was brought in. A full camera system was fitted, with three PTZ cameras giving a professional look when on large Microsoft Teams calls, for open evening events or for recording and later editing in the custom-built television studio APi has also installed in the school.
The Café space was fitted with a television which can also be controlled via the iPad controller, giving the ability to use it as a repeater monitor for what is being shown in the hall, or to have it as a local display for watching the news or content from the Amazon Fire or Apple TV connected to the system.
Lastly, stage lighting was fitted which can either be controlled by simple presets on the iPad controller, or via the professional lighting desk which is housed in a portable rack with the digital mixer. This further enhanced the professional setup that visitors to the school during events and performances now experience.
Overall, the system we have installed allows both teachers and other staff the opportunity to harness the AV equipment in the room to enhance the experience for students, parents and visitors to the school, all from a simple, easy-to-use control system based on the dedicated iPad.
Since it was first installed, the hall has seen two generations of updates, with the latest in September 2024 adding an Allen and Heath AHM audio matrix processor to process the ever-increasing number of audio channels in the hall.
This was the first of several school hall projects APi undertook with the trust, recently completing the 4th upgrade over the summer of 2024.
“We have always been very satisfied with their work, professionalism and expertise in providing customised high-quality solutions. I can recommend APi Sound and Visual unreservedly” Jonathan, CEO and Executive Headteacher.
Read more Case Studies