Melior Community College is an 11 to 16 secondary school for 1000 students which opened in September 2007 as a result of the amalgamation of South Leys and Thomas Sumpter schools. The college specialises in business, enterprise and the arts and has the Artsmark Gold award and the International School award. Its vision is to help learners begin to understand the world of business and all its complexities; how it is constantly changing and how it affects everyone.

MASS was contracted to deliver the college’s ICT infrastructure following the move to a new single site in 2010.  The design included many key technologies that we deem essential for educational institutions. Key features included: 

• Cloud Based Software - Helping the college save money and reduce risk
• A Virtual Learning Environment - Creating a range of educational transformation   
• Enterprise Level Wireless Infrastructure - A totally secure and redundant solution

MASS designed and installed a completely integrated ICT solution allowing the seamless concurrent operation of systems and reducing the administrative burden on all members of the college.  So what did this mean in practice?  Well, here are some edited highlights! 

• The Integration of the MIS and VLE allowing data to be exchanged and updated in both directions delivering single data entry with multiple subsequent use (single sign-on and no re-keying of information/results backwards & forwards between the two systems)
• Enabling each student to have their own Netbook Device and achieving an overall student device ratio of greater than one to one.
• Provisioning access of the college systems to the home enabling greater and easier parental involvement in the learning plus radically improving home college communications and routine administration
• Introduction of a single card system, for access control, e-registration, cashless catering, library and print management systems with full integration to the MIS system
• Provision of centralised services in two external data centres including instant data replication and back up.  Assuring the safe keeping of the college’s valuable data and the student’s work.
• Implementation of a range of efficient and cost effective networked services such as VOIP and CCTV.
• A robust and reliable ICT service enabling the both students and staff to focus on learning whilst working in a enjoyably modern technological environment.

This solution also had to delivered in the real world.  An immediate significant challenge faced was a delay in the new building works as a result of planning complications.  MASS is experienced in installing ICT infrastructures in construction environments and we were able to plan and work closely with the construction partner to schedule in the works.  By pre-staging much of the ICT equipment set up we were able to install the ICT infrastructure during a short window in the construction programme.  The end result being a successful installation, delivered to budget, with the College being able to move into a fully operational environment as originally planned.