About Morecambe Bay Academy

Nestled in Lancashire, Morecambe Bay Academy is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form that has had a long, rich heritage at the heart of the local community since 1919. Part of the Bay Learning Trust, a network of schools within the Morecambe Bay area, the academy delivers a well-rounded, future-focused curriculum. Enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities, Morecambe Bay Academy is dedicated to the Morecambe community and beyond.

Driven by a pursuit of educational excellence that encourages students to “Belong, Believe and Achieve”, the academy cultivates confident, well-equipped individuals. Their curriculum fosters not only academic achievement but also the development of crucial life skills and personal attributes. And while empowered as integral members of their learning community, students flourish, reaching their full potential both personally and academically.

About Dataspire Solutions

Dataspire Solutions is an Education Technology (EdTech) company and trusted partner for schools and academies nationwide, providing a comprehensive suite of IT services, solutions and support.

Their mission? To instil confidence in using technology as a transformative tool for learning, and ultimately, improving outcomes for children and young people.

But Dataspire’s impact goes beyond the technical. Since 2005, Dataspire’s ethos has been led by education and the personnel that deliver it, and as a result, Dataspire staff fully understand, react and respond to operational priorities in a manner that is the most appropriate and the most effective for enhanced teaching and learning.

Our services include:

Strategic ICT Planning for Schools	Managed ICT Support
Education Focussed Broadband Connectivity	Safeguarding Support
Cloud and Network Infrastructure Support	Technical and User Training
Procurement Management	Project Management
New School Build Services	Telephony Services
Audio Visual Support

The Challenge:

In January 2023, Phil Thomlinson (Network Manager) joined Morecambe Bay Academy and faced a daunting challenge. The academy’s network, the backbone of its digital ecosystem, was failing daily. Outdated systems slowed and disrupted the day-to-day, stifling progress and hindering the academy’s ambitious development plans.

Not willing to let outdated tech be the academy’s future, and seeking a necessary and immediate solution, Morecambe Bay Academy took swift action. They secured funding from the DfE’s Public Sector Decarbonisation pilot, a program helping public institutions upgrade tech while embracing sustainability. This proactive approach not only modernised their equipment but also positioned them as environmental champions.

In 2020, the UK government’s Department for Education launched the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, aiming to slash emissions from public buildings by 75% by 2037.

Eager to contribute to this ambitious goal, Morecambe Bay Academy saw an opportunity to upgrade its outdated technology while embracing cleaner energy solutions and turned to Dataspire, who are recognised for their expertise in the educational landscape and their proven track record of working alongside the DfE on hundreds of education infrastructure projects.

Dataspire offered invaluable support beyond technical know-how. They bridged the gap between the academy’s vision for ICT transformation and their ambitious carbon reduction goals.

The Solution

Morecambe Bay Academy and Dataspire Solutions collaborated and began a mission of modernisation. Phil met with the Dataspire team to discuss the academy’s requirements, and together, they assessed the current situation and developed a good understanding of where the technology and DfE funding could be optimised to have the greatest impact.

As a champion of environmental responsibility, Dataspire’s core values include helping schools and academies save time and money while saving the planet, so conscious sustainability was woven into every solution. Energy-efficient systems were implemented aiming to minimise the school’s carbon footprint, setting an inspiring example for future generations.

With the solutions agreed upon, first up was a refresh of the WIFI infrastructure. Dataspire identified areas of weakness and black spots that were limiting learning and heavily consuming energy but now provide seamless connectivity for staff and students alike. The ageing network also received a much-needed upgrade, reducing throughput and transforming it into a future-proofed gateway for engaged learning, creativity and innovation.

Front-of-classroom technology was also updated as ageing projectors were replaced with energy-efficient SMART Boards, bringing interactivity and dynamism to the classroom. Where projectors remain, clever monitor systems now automatically switch them off when not in use, therefore saving energy.

Small changes can make a big difference and by plugging wireless adapters into desktop computers, Dataspire reduced the load on the network switch and its carbon footprint. The adapters connect to the Wi-Fi system, eliminating the need for energy-hungry cables and switches.

The integration of innovation and sustainability is now creating a brighter future for both students and the planet.

The Outcomes

This wasn’t just a technological makeover. It was a strategic investment in the future of learning. With a sustainable, scalable and reliable network in place, Morecambe Bay Academy could finally unleash its full potential.

Staff and students alike, enjoy seamless connectivity, fostering a dynamic learning environment where creativity and collaboration can flourish, and with a reduced environmental footprint Morecambe Bay Academy can deliver on their commitment to a brighter and greener future for their entire learning community.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Dataspire,” Network Manager – Phil Thomlinson shared. “Their friendly team truly understood what the school required, and their technical skills ensured that the project was completed to the highest standard.”

The Dataspire Promise

We will work closely with you to understand your needs
We will provide best value on our services and solutions, to ensure you get the most from your investment in technology
We will help you to deliver your ICT Vision, now and into the future
We will provide reliable support that you can trust

Are you meeting the needs of modern teaching and learning?

Contact us today and see how we can help you stay ahead of the curve.