As part of a wider digital transformation strategy across Insignis Academy Trust, helping create a more reliable, scalable, and future-ready learning environment for staff and pupils

Introduction

As digital learning continues to evolve, schools are under increasing pressure to provide reliable, high-performing connectivity that can support modern teaching, cloud-based platforms, and growing device usage across the classroom.

Working as part of the wider digital strategy across Insignis Academy Trust, The Mandeville School partnered with Turn IT on to deliver a wireless infrastructure upgrade through the Department for Education’s Connect the Classroom scheme.

The project focused on improving Wi-Fi coverage, strengthening network performance, and creating a more scalable infrastructure foundation to support teaching and learning both now and in the future. Through a collaborative and strategic approach, Turn IT on worked closely with school and trust leaders to reduce complexity, support planning, and ensure the project aligned with the school’s wider digital ambitions.

The Challenge

Like many schools, The Mandeville School was balancing increasing technology demands alongside budget pressures and long-term infrastructure planning.

The school needed greater confidence in the reliability and coverage of its wireless network to support day-to-day teaching, staff mobility, cloud services, and future digital initiatives. Existing infrastructure also needed reviewing to ensure it could continue supporting growing numbers of connected devices and evolving classroom requirements.

At the same time, Insignis Academy Trust was developing a wider digital transformation strategy across its schools, including future planning around cloud services, device refresh programmes, and modern learning environments. This meant connectivity improvements needed to support not only immediate operational needs, but also longer-term scalability and sustainability.

The trust required a partner that could provide more than just hardware installation. They needed strategic guidance, clear communication, and a practical roadmap that reduced workload for internal teams while helping leadership make informed decisions with confidence.

The Solution

Turn IT on worked closely with both The Mandeville School and Insignis Academy Trust to develop a structured and collaborative approach to the Connect the Classroom project.

The first stage focused on understanding the school’s existing network environment and future requirements. This included wireless heat mapping, infrastructure assessments, and detailed discussions around network coverage, switching, capacity, and future growth.

Using this information, we helped shape a phased infrastructure improvement plan aligned to both DfE connectivity standards and the trust’s wider digital strategy.

The project included:

• Wireless heat mapping and coverage analysis
• Wi-Fi upgrade planning and infrastructure recommendations
• Access point and switching assessments
• Future-ready network design considerations
• Support with budgeting and strategic planning
• Collaboration with trust leadership and technical teams throughout delivery

Importantly, the project was delivered in a way that reduced pressure on school staff and leadership teams. Regular review meetings, transparent communication, and ongoing technical guidance helped ensure the school felt supported at every stage of the process.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Turn IT on worked as a trusted IT partner, helping the school and trust make practical decisions that balanced performance, scalability, budget, and long-term sustainability.

The Outcome

The Connect the Classroom upgrade provided The Mandeville School with a stronger foundation for digital teaching and learning.

By improving wireless infrastructure and network planning, the school is now better positioned to support modern classroom technology, cloud-based platforms, and increasing device usage across the school environment.

The project also helped provide greater visibility and confidence around future infrastructure planning, allowing the trust to make more informed decisions about future investment and digital development priorities.

Key outcomes included:

• Improved confidence in wireless coverage and network reliability
• A more scalable infrastructure foundation for future growth
• Better alignment with modern digital learning requirements
• Reduced pressure on internal teams through collaborative planning and support
• A clearer long-term roadmap for connectivity and infrastructure improvements

Most importantly, the project supported the wider goal of enabling better teaching and learning experiences through reliable, future-ready technology.

Summary

The Mandeville School’s Connect the Classroom project demonstrates how schools and trusts can take a practical, strategic approach to connectivity upgrades while keeping teaching, learning, and long-term sustainability at the centre of decision-making.

By working in partnership with Insignis Academy Trust, Turn IT on helped deliver more than a wireless upgrade. The project created a stronger digital foundation that supports future growth, reduces complexity, and gives school leaders greater confidence in their technology strategy. As schools continue to evolve their digital environments, having a trusted education IT partner that understands both the technical and operational challenges facing schools can make all the difference.