Why fast WiFi and surveillance is a necessity in UK schools

Technology has moved on at such a pace in recent years that ICT is no longer a lesson to be taught, but a tool to use for the teaching of other subjects. With the increase in 1:1 learning, BYOD, and online learning, it is imperative that schools have a sufficient Wi-Fi system in place. 

Recent studies conducted by The British Education Suppliers Association (BESA), E-Learning Foundation and other educational authorities suggest pupils in England are at risk of missing out because their schools do not have adequate WiFi solutions.

Technology to support fast effective WiFi is imperative in schools.  There is now a wide range of effective wireless networking products using the newest generation of Wi-Fi technology including 802.11ac (‘Wave 2’) Wireless AC Standard technology, ranging from access points and VPN routers, to wireless controllers and management platforms. With no costly subscription fees, solutions from companies such as D-Link have been adopted by many schools looking to achieve fast, secure networks with the peace of mind that their investment is futureproof. 

Furthermore, safeguarding pupils, staff and assets is vital for contemporary establishments looking to flourish in the current climate. Internal and external surveillance can deter theft, bullying, arson, vandalism and a whole host of other incidents. It’s also a great way to monitor teaching performance in classrooms (albeit in a rather Orwellian manner).

Technology to support fast effective WiFi is imperative in schools

School grounds can be expansive and hard to monitor. With hundreds or thousands of students having access to these areas during school hours (or visiting them during off-hours), it can become hard to manage the traffic coming in and out of your school grounds.

Video surveillance can help school officials easily maintain these areas without having to leave their offices. Today’s video surveillance technology offers IP surveillance which can be connected wirelessly over a school’s internet network. These cameras are a massive jump forward from older surveillance systems like CCTV, which can’t broadcast footage over the internet. Being able to tap into your video stream at any time makes it easy for you to monitor different areas of your school seamlessly. 

Deploying CCTV the traditional way brought with it an array of problems due to grainy footage and inconsistency. But today’s technology features, such as remote viewing, flexible camera positions and easy distribution to third party officials, such as the police, makes it easy, cost-effective and manageable to incorporate these solutions. 

Deploying CCTV the traditional way brought with it an array of problems due to grainy footage and inconsistency

Schools can now have an array of IP surveillance cameras that provide high quality round-the-clock video monitoring for indoor and outdoor deployment that are easy to set up and maintain to choose from. Furthermore, these IP Surveillance solutions include access to Management Software that provides free security video recording, live view and playback management for IP cameras and video servers, as well as cloud video recording storage devices. This gives budget conscious institutions peace of mind that, following the upfront cost, there are no hidden fees eating at resources. 

If schools are concerned about taking these steps, technology companies such as D-Link work closely with their partners to ensure that education institutions receive the necessary bespoke and tailored product packages and support what they need from distributors and resellers. D-Link can be trusted for high quality products and services, whether this is wireless or IP Surveillance equipment. 

For further information, see: https://eu.dlink.com/uk/en.