ANSecurity, known for its expertise in network security and wireless solutions, has implemented one of the UK education sector's first comprehensive Wi-Fi 7 networks at Sir William Perkins's School. This initiative equips the Surrey-based independent institution with a secure, high-capacity wireless system to advance its digital learning goals.
The school, serving approximately 580 students and 142 staff members, had integrated 1:1 iPad usage into its curriculum, but the older wireless network struggled under the strain of increased device connectivity, particularly for group activities using Apple Classroom.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Maintaining consistent, secure connectivity for hundreds of devices presented significant challenges, with other providers failing to meet the school's specific technical criteria.
The school's IT Manager noted, "We spoke to multiple providers, but none were able to implement the solution we envisioned. ANSecurity not only made it possible – they tested it, validated it, and delivered it flawlessly."
A Consultative Deployment Approach
In collaboration with RUCKUS Networks, ANSecurity began by verifying the school's design specifications
In collaboration with RUCKUS Networks, ANSecurity began by verifying the school's design specifications and conducting comprehensive lab testing to ensure compatibility with Jamf School’s certificate-based authentication system and the existing network structure.
A deployment plan was executed over a tight three-month timeline, synchronized with school breaks to minimize disruption. ANSecurity installed RUCKUS Wi-Fi 7 access points and configured Cloudpath to issue certificates to nearly 550 school-managed iPads, a feature other vendors could not offer.
Advanced Security and Performance Integration
To ensure compliance and safeguarding, ANSecurity integrated RADIUS and API-driven workflows for precise user-to-IP mapping across the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall and ContentKeeper filtering service.
Additional networks were established for BYOD and guest access, employing Opportunistic Wireless Encryption to secure traffic on open networks. The company also restructured network components, adding new VLANs and updating firewall policies to ensure secure resource access.
Future-Ready Network Performance
The school now enjoys robust Wi-Fi coverage that efficiently supports around 800 devices
Post-deployment, ANSecurity conducted a thorough wireless site survey to confirm optimal signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, and performance across the campus. "The difference in consultative support compared to other vendors was night and day," stated the IT Manager.
The school now enjoys robust Wi-Fi coverage that efficiently supports around 800 devices, most using the 5 GHz band, and is prepared for future expansions, including WPA3 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi, as Jamf School updates.
Strategic Digital Advancement
Delivered within the planned three-month period, the project places Sir William Perkins’s School at the forefront of digital education. The Wi-Fi 7 infrastructure provides the capacity needed for new educational technologies like AR/VR and high-bandwidth cloud applications, thus positioning the school to meet future digital demands.
Looking ahead, initiatives including Cyber Essentials Plus certification, enhanced security measures, and controlled network access are planned, solidifying the partnership between ANSecurity and the school based on trust, technical skill, and a shared dedication to innovation.
ANSecurity, a pioneering specialist in network security and wireless solutions, has successfully delivered one of the UK education sector’s first campus-wide Wi-Fi 7 deployments at Sir William Perkins’s School, providing the Surrey-based independent school with a secure, high-capacity wireless infrastructure designed to support its growing digital learning ambitions.
Serving around 580 students and 142 staff, Sir William Perkins’s School has fully embedded 1:1 iPad usage into daily teaching. However, the school’s legacy wireless network struggled to cope with the rising density of devices, particularly when large groups connected simultaneously through Apple Classroom.
Technical requirements
Ensuring secure authentication, safeguarding compliance, and consistent performance across hundreds of devices became increasingly challenging – and other vendors were unable to meet the school’s strict technical requirements.
“We spoke to multiple providers, but none were able to implement the solution we envisioned. ANSecurity not only made it possible – they tested it, validated it, and delivered it flawlessly,” said the school’s IT Manager.
A structured, consultative approach
Introduced by RUCKUS Networks, ANSecurity began by validating the school’s design requirements and conducting extensive lab testing to confirm compatibility with Jamf School’s certificate-based authentication and the school’s existing network architecture. A collaborative deployment plan followed, with a tight three-month schedule carefully aligned to the school holidays to avoid disruption.
ANSecurity then deployed RUCKUS Wi-Fi 7 access points and configured Cloudpath to seamlessly issue certificates to nearly 550 school-managed iPads – a capability other vendors could not match.
Wi-Fi 7 provides dramatically higher throughput, lower latency, and improved efficiency thanks to technologies such as wider channels and multi-link operation, enabling fast, reliable connectivity even in dense device environments like classrooms.
ANSecurity integrated RADIUS and API-driven workflows
To support safeguarding and compliance, ANSecurity integrated RADIUS and API-driven workflows to ensure accurate user-to-IP mapping across both the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall and the ContentKeeper filtering service. Additional networks were created for BYOD and guest access, with Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) used to protect traffic on open networks.
ANSecurity also assisted in restructuring parts of the network, implementing new VLANs and applying updated firewall policies to ensure the right users and devices could securely access the right resources.
Following deployment, a detailed wireless site survey was carried out to confirm optimal signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, and throughput across both indoor and key outdoor areas of the campus. “The difference in consultative support compared to other vendors was night and day,” said the IT Manager.
A high-performance, future-ready outcome
The school now benefits from fast, stable, and secure Wi-Fi coverage across the entire campus. The new network reliably supports nearly 800 devices, with the majority operating seamlessly on 5 GHz, and is fully prepared for future upgrades, including WPA3 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi once supported by Jamf School.
Integration with existing security solutions ensures all safeguarding, logging, and compliance requirements are met. Improvements to switching, segmentation, and overall network architecture have further enhanced performance and manageability.
Cyber Essentials Plus certification
Delivered within the agreed three-month window, the project positions Sir William Perkins’s School at the forefront of digital education. Wi-Fi 7 provides the performance headroom needed to support emerging educational technologies – from AR/VR learning to high-bandwidth cloud applications – ensuring the school remains ahead of future digital demands.
With upcoming initiatives including Cyber Essentials Plus certification, expanded security controls, and wired network access control, the relationship between the school and ANSecurity continues to deepen, built on trust, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to innovation.
