As a result, well over 200 dnp Supernova Core 16:10 optical screens will be deployed for general purpose use within primary and secondary schools in the borough over the next few months. This includes 105 low-gain (08:85) screens - to be divided across five primary schools - after the council had earlier endorsed the Supernova platform for use in two new-build secondary schools due for completion in early 2012.
The decision was made following a presentation made by Paradigm to main contractors, Laing O'Rourke, along with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's ICT Strategy team.
Three Supernova Cores were then successfully trialled, before the initial secondary school order was placed. This comprises 62 x Supernova 110" 16:10 low gain (08-85) screen for installation in The Sydney Russell School, Dagenham and 16 similarly configured Supernova Core 84", 36 Core 100" and a single Core 110" in Dagenham Park Church of England School.
The screens will be used in conjunction with an Optoma EW 536 single chip XGA DLP projector and be capable of taking an HDMI feed.
Paradigm AV then supplied the 105 primary school screens via project consultants and fit-out specialists, REDS10, and these are in the process of being fitted in Thames View Junior School, George Carey Church of England Primary School, Valence Primary School (St George's site), Ripple Primary School (Westbury site) and Manor Longbridge Primary School.
Sheyne Lucock, education ICT strategy lead for the council, said, "We have always had classrooms with big screens so the issue we faced was that in order to get a good image with big vibrant colours the teachers would have to switch the lights off and draw the blinds. We have been trying to find a solution where you didn't need to do this.
"We are aware that the Supernova screens are traditionally aimed more at boardrooms and conference rooms - and are thus pitched at a level that would generally far exceed our budget. But due to the volumes we were purchasing, Paradigm were able to arrange a very competitive price.
"We have a rolling programme of development over the next two years and will now standardise on the dnp Supernova Cores."
The fit-outs will be carried out by the respective contractors in conjunction with RM Education, the Borough's ICT partner.
(Jim Evans)
