Gaskell Primary School

Key Stats

• Investigations that previously took up to 3 days now take 30 minutes. 

• Greater operational independence from the local authority, which previously managed the school’s servers and computers.

• Real-time alerts, including Person of Interest, support more proactive campus monitoring

Background

Based in Bolton, UK, Gaskell Primary School is a diverse educational hub serving more than 500 pupils. The school is dedicated to providing an enriched curriculum that extends beyond the classroom, empowering students with the skills and mindset needed to navigate the "world of tomorrow."

That focus on innovation also shaped the school’s approach to operations and safeguarding. Deputy Head Teacher James Cranage recognised that Gaskell’s physical security infrastructure was no longer keeping pace with its wider digital ambitions. Its legacy NVR-based system was difficult to manage, time-consuming to use, and lacked the intelligence needed to support a modern primary school environment.

To simplify operations, strengthen safeguarding, and modernise the school’s approach to site security, James began looking for a cloud-managed solution that matched Gaskell’s broader commitment to innovation.

Challenges

Before Verkada, Gaskell Primary School relied on a patchwork of legacy CCTV and basic access control systems that were fragmented and largely manual to manage.

The school’s NVR-based video system created major challenges during time-sensitive investigations. Staff had to work through onsite servers, manually rewind hours of footage across disconnected camera feeds, and piece together events with limited visibility. In some cases, evidence had to be captured by filming the monitor on an iPad, creating poor-quality files that were difficult to store securely or share when needed. What should have taken minutes often took days.

The school’s access control system offered limited visibility. Staff could tap in and out, but leadership had little confidence in who had actually entered specific areas at a given time. Badge sharing and tailgating made it harder to maintain accountability and investigate incidents fully.

The need for change became especially clear when a student left the building unnoticed. Although the child was safely found, the school then spent three days piecing together what had happened because of the limitations of its legacy systems. For James, it was a clear sign that Gaskell needed a more integrated and proactive approach to campus safety.

Solutions 

To modernise its infrastructure, Gaskell Primary School worked with long-term technology partner DMS Group and selected Verkada’s integrated hybrid-cloud platform.

Since the 2024 deployment, the school has moved from fragmented legacy hardware to a centralised system managed through Verkada.

Modernised video security

By replacing ageing NVRs with high-definition hybrid-cloud cameras, Gaskell gained clearer visibility across the site, both indoors and outdoors. Staff can now search footage and review incidents without relying on cumbersome onsite servers.

Integrated access control

Instead of relying on standalone door events, staff can now connect access activity with video footage, giving them more context around who entered where and when. Administrators can manage permissions more centrally, while staff use keycards or mobile credentials for secure access across the site.

Faster lockdowns

School leaders can trigger a site-wide lockdown from a mobile device or desktop, enabling a faster and more coordinated response during emergencies or safeguarding concerns.

Proactive alerts

Using AI-powered analytics, the school can receive real-time notifications when a Person of Interest is detected on site, such as a non-custodial adult attempting to collect a pupil.

Remote management with Verkada Command

Through Verkada Command, the leadership and administrative teams can monitor the site remotely, review activity, and manage access even when off-site or during school holidays. 

Partnership with DMS

Gaskell Primary School’s transformation was supported by its long-standing relationship with DMS Group, which provided both implementation support and a commercial model suited to the school’s budget.

By offering a flexible purchasing approach, DMS helped Gaskell modernise its infrastructure without the burden of a large upfront investment. As James explains:

“DMS is so good because we can purchase state-of-the-art technology almost as a leasing opportunity, allowing us to invest in tools using a model that works for a school’s budget.”

The Benefits 

Faster investigations and quicker resolution

Where investigations once took days, staff can now resolve many incidents in a fraction of the time. As James puts it:

“A process that previously took us three days can take us 30 seconds now.”

This leap in performance is powered by Verkada’s intuitive search capabilities. Rather than scrubbing through hours of raw footage, the Gaskell team utilises motion and AI-powered search to locate individuals and activity across the entire campus as quickly as possible. 

This has helped staff respond faster to both serious safeguarding concerns and everyday incidents – like lost lunches – saving valuable time and reducing administrative burden.

Stronger safeguarding 

Verkada has helped Gaskell move from a reactive approach to a more proactive one. Staff can monitor the site in real time, respond more quickly to potential issues, and lock down the school immediately if needed.

The added visibility from internal cameras and access-controlled doors has also encouraged stronger day-to-day security habits, reducing behaviours such as badge sharing and doors being left open.

Greater operational Independence

By moving to a cloud-based platform, Gaskell has reduced its reliance on legacy onsite infrastructure and gained more control over its own operations.

The school is now less dependent on the local authority for day-to-day management of core systems, and staff have been able to learn and manage parts of the platform themselves with training and support.

Looking Ahead

The success of the initial deployment has provided a blueprint for Gaskell Primary’s long-term security strategy. Moving forward, James and his team intend to consolidate their entire building management onto the Verkada platform — including guest management, air quality sensors, and alarms — to create a more unified approach to school safety and site management

The school is also interested in features such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to streamline access for staff and approved delivery drivers, while reducing the manual burden on front-office teams.

For Gaskell, the value of this transformation goes beyond security alone. By reducing time spent on manual investigations and administrative work, the school can keep its focus where it matters most: supporting pupils and staff.

When asked what advice he would give to other schools considering a similar investment, James is clear on the primary benefit:

“For any prospective school looking at this technology, the biggest takeaway is the time it saves.”