At one residential school, a simple upgrade swaps manual keys for centralized electronic access control

SMARTair® Wireless Online access management has proven a simple, school-wide electronic solution for greater control and security at Westbridge. Each staff member carries one RFID credential card programmed with access rights personalized to their individual role. In an emergency, the school can institute a complete lockdown via the centralized system.

 “Having a SMARTair® system in place has given us peace of mind… It’s quicker, it’s safer and it’s simple,” says Joanna Brunton, Executive Officer at Westbridge School.

The school’s teaching, administration and residential buildings require multiple layers of access control, for both staff and students. The inflexibility of a legacy mechanical locking system had presented facility management and pupil safety challenges for years.

“With over 50 staff, we needed more subtlety in assigning access permissions, which you simply can’t do with a bundle of metal keys,” explains Joanna Brunton, Westbridge School’s Executive Officer.

Specifying a new access system
Beyond replacing and upgrading outmoded, inflexible mechanical key security, Westbridge had a number of requirements for its new access system. Devices in the new, unified system would replace piecemeal mechanical locking on 80+ doors around the site.

School leaders wanted access control already proven in the field, with a track record of successful installations managing access in schools worldwide. New electronic locks must provide a real-time audit trail, so facility managers always know which doors are opened by which staff cards.

The new system would also need to work within the school’s security budget — and be installed over the holidays, for minimal disruption to the school’s busy calendar.

“We essentially had a safety and security need,” adds Joanna Brunton. “We needed to be able to discourage students from going where they didn’t need to be on site or redirect a student who was in a heightened state from re-entering a classroom and potentially disrupting the class or causing damage.”

A convenient, cost-efficient SMARTair® solution for Westbridge School
System administration is easy even for non-specialists. “I taught staff how to use the software and encode access cards,” says Kylie Bray, director at Western Lock Services, who have long managed hardware maintenance for Westbridge. “If a staff member loses their card, you can go straight in and delete it.”

The intuitive SMARTair® system software can open or secure individual zones, connecting to individual locks via a network of 9 hubs. “We now have the ability to set higher security for specific areas of our site, especially over the school holidays when students have gone home,” says Joanna Brunton.

“Our regular maintenance contractors have their own access keys, so they just get straight on with their work without calling us to meet them for access. This keeps our time, and their costs, down.

SMARTair® door devices are wireless and battery operated. Because there’s no need to run cabling to individual doors, installation was fast and cost-efficient.

“From a facilities management point of view, the solution has done everything we wanted it to do in terms of safety, security and monitoring,” adds Joanna.

To learn how SMARTair® wireless access control is tailored for schools and universities, download an education solution guide at https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/smartair-schools

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Dallmeier - securitybuyer.com

Dallmeier presents the MK4 revision of the DMS 2400

With the new MK4 revision of the DMS 2400, Dallmeier introduces an even more powerful version of its proven video appliance.
security Institute - securitybuyer.com

Security Institute Announces New Directors

The Security Institute held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 8th of July at the Millennium Hotel & Conference Centre…
ASSA ABLOY - securitybuyer.com

BG100 Speedgate Recognised with Red Dot Award

Combining an Aesthetically Appealing Design, Function and Innovation, the BG100 Speedgate Sets New Benchmark for …
Product Spotlight - Videx - securitybuyer.com

Product Spotlight – Era Series

VIDEX presents its new series of outdoor compact video door entry systems, Era Series, and showcases their durability, configuration…
Security Institute - SecurityBuyer.com

The Security Institute Hosts Second Young People’s Skill Building

The Security Institute was honoured to host its second annual Young People’s Skill Building Event on Monday 23rd June, held …
Hanwha Vision - Security Buyer

Hanwha Vision unveils powerful AI remote-head camera

Hanwha Vision, the global vision solution provider, launches the AI remote-head camera, featuring a single-body…
Christina Alexander Judge - SecurityBuyer

Christina Alexander Announced as Security Buyer Awards Judge

Security Buyer is proud to announce Christina Alexander as the latest addition to the distinguished judging panel for the Security…
Milestone - SecurityBuyer

Milestone Systems updates across XProtect, BriefCam, Arcules

Milestone Systems today announced updates across its complete security technology portfolio with releases for XProtect
Big Interview Abdullah Tanoli

Big Interview – Hero of Leicester Square

Rebecca Spayne of Security Buyer has the privilege of speaking with a real-life hero, Abdullah Tanoli, the hero of Leicester Square..
Altronix - SecurityBuyer

Altronix POE367 Delivers 277VAC Support

Altronix has expanded its power product line with the new POE367 power supply/charger designed specifically for 277VAC input environments.
Scroll to Top