Convergint, a global security solutions provider, is enhancing the safety of Hythe Bay Primary School in Kent through the installation of new video surveillance systems. This project is part of a larger initiative aimed at boosting safety while maintaining a welcoming environment for students, staff, and the community.
The enhancements are being carried out on a voluntary basis by Convergint’s UK team as part of the company’s STEP Up for Schools programme, which stands for Secure, Train, Educate, and Protect. The initiative assists schools in accessing essential security technology and expertise. Key industry players like Genetec, Hanwha, and Wesco are also supporting the Hythe Bay project.
The actions at Hythe Bay form part of Convergint Social Responsibility Day. This annual event calls for Convergint employees globally to offer their time and skills to enhance community projects. This particular effort focuses on improving visibility in the school to support safety without compromising its welcoming atmosphere.
Amy O’Loughlin, Europe Marketing Manager at Convergint UK, stated, “Schools have to remain open, welcoming places for pupils, staff and families, but they also need practical security measures that support day-to-day safety. The most effective approach starts with understanding the site, how people move through it, and where additional visibility or control can make a meaningful difference. Technology has an important role to play, but only when it is applied in a way that supports the school environment.”
This proactive engagement by Hythe Bay Primary School falls perfectly in line with the objectives of the STEP Up programme, according to the school’s headteacher, Rebecca Prout. “A safe and welcoming school environment is fundamental to everything we do. We put ourselves forward for STEP Up because we wanted to explore ways to strengthen safety across the school site, and the support from Convergint will help us take that forward,” she said.
The initiative not only aims to make schools safer but also to foster community engagement and improvement across multiple locations. For instance, the project at Hythe Bay is one of the first connected to the STEP Up programme in the UK, with another similar project scheduled in France.
In the broader scope of Convergint Social Responsibility Day, nearly 11,000 employees, families, and over 45 partners from 37 countries contribute approximately 60,000 volunteer hours each year. This reinforces Convergint’s vision of building a safer world through community and partnership.
The STEP Up for Schools Grant Programme has awarded 30 grants for school safety, covering a range of needs from access control and video systems to environmental sensors and risk assessments. Georges Tannous, Area Vice President, META/UK & Ireland at Genetec, noted the impact of such collaborations: “Our long-standing partnership with Convergint is built on shared values, including a commitment to innovation, customer success and community engagement. Initiatives like STEP Up for Schools demonstrate what’s possible when technology providers and integrators combine to make a tangible difference.”
Convergint’s commitment to enhancing educational environments, in alignment with their mission to foster community safety, is realised through actions like their Social Responsibility Day, continually broadening the reach and impact of their services worldwide.
