The school – which is the first in County Durham to qualify for funding under the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme – is relocating to a new £25m purpose-built learning facility at Crossgate Moor this Easter and Gateshead-based Executel has fought off stiff competition to provide a complete communications infrastructure for the new school.
Due for installation later this month, Executel’s solution will include a state-of-the-art IP telephony platform to serve some 150 plus staff users, WiFi handsets to enable workforce mobility, ISDN services and a tailored Low Cost Routing (LCR) package.
Of the significant investment in new technology, Graeme Carter, Building Operations Manager for Durham Johnston, said: “The school was keen to find a provider that could match the vision that it and Durham County Council have been working on.
“The solution will use part of the school’s new networked fibre optic backbone and the latest WiFi. This will enable staff to access messages and communicate through the mobile phone system and email. The package purchased includes traditional desktop phones and a large number of mobile handsets making communication with school leadership and individual staff easier. The system also integrates with other Durham County Council systems which will cut down on external calls, thereby reducing costs.”
Currently operating between two sites in Crossgate Moor and Whinney Hill, Durham Johnston has 1,450 pupils and boasts some of the best exam results in the UK. The £25m revamp of the school will bring together both sites under one roof and is due for completion in April 2009.
Michael O’Sullivan, Account Manager for Executel, added: “We have a long standing relationship with Durham Johnston School and are therefore both honoured and delighted to be selected for this project.
“Now is an exciting time for the school, they have a brand new facility nearing completion which heralds the next chapter in their development and we are proud to be equipping the new building with a high quality communications solution with which they can continue to grow and evolve.”