Genetec’s Omnicast Video Surveillance Secures Accrington Academy

Accrington Academy, located in Lancashire, has installed a video surveillance system from Genetec

Genetec, a pioneer in the physical security industry and a leading provider of world-class unified IP security solutions, is proud to announce that Accrington Academy, located in Lancashire, England, has installed Genetec’s state-of-the-art Omnicast video surveillance system to protect its students and staff.

Accrington Academy, a secondary school providing education for 1150 students between the ages of 11 and 18, was recently granted sponsorship from the United Learning Trust. The school’s facilities were upgraded and expanded, and GRANTfen Fire & Security, a Genetec Certified Integrator located in Leyland, Lancashire, was hired to design and install a video surveillance system, providing exceptional value relative to investment. Stephen Harrison, IT and Project Manager of GRANTfen, selected Genetec’s Omnicast video surveillance system to provide the Academy with the required cost-benefit ratio, as well as flexibility, open-architecture hardware freedom and scablability.

Legislation requires that Accrington Academy have knowledge of every student’s whereabouts at all times, as well as the ability to ensure that all who come onto school property are intended to have access. This requires a system with no blind spots, providing visual coverage for every corner of the school. To fulfill this need, the Academy’s Omnicast system incorporates 151 cameras connected to two Dell archivers. In addition to mainting safety for students, Omnicast protects valuable technical equipment used for courses in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) against theft or vandalism.

“We recognize that student safety is of the utmost importance when trying to foster academic excellence,” says Cavan Kendall, UK National Sales Manager at Genetec. “So we have taken great care to ensure our IP security solutions help teachers, principals and school boards accomplish their safety and security objectives. Accrington Academy has taken exemplary initiative to make sure their students and staff feel safe at all times and we are happy to have been able to help.” 

The Academy has enabled Web client monitoring for their system, which allows teachers and administrators on campus to easily monitor or review footage at any time from their desk, aiding in resolution of disputes and parent inquiries about incidents. Additionally, administrators have found the Mapping feature, providing instantaneous visual understanding of a camera’s location, to be particularly useful in aiding a swift response to any potential event.

Accrington Academy was also able to integrate Omnicast with their intrusion detection system. When the school is closed, a web of infrared sensors monitor the entire perimeter of the building. When any of the sensors are disrupted, an alert including data on location of the breach is sent to Omnicast, which alerts an offsite monitoring company. The offsite responders can view video footage and use campus speakers to address intruders. This integration has helped the Academy to develop a complete solution, incorporating all surveillance initiatives within one platform.

The Academy’s Omnicast installation has been able to provide confidence that students and facilities are secure at all times, while still promising smooth adaptation as the school’s needs evolve. “One of the major advantages of selecting Omnicast is the flexibility it has provided. With this system, we use the cameras we can afford now, and can always upgrade in the future when additional funds become available. It’s been a really good system for us,” said Will Ames, Director of Business and Operations at Accrington Academy.