Consett Academy is part of the New College Durham Academies Trust, and the Academy provides a comprehensive and enriching educational experience which prepares students for success both academically and personally.
Work on the replacements began in May 2024, and the project is currently well underway with over 400 fittings already swapped out from old technology products to our new LED, CCT and Wattage Switchable options. The upgrade included replacements to a host of areas; our Mentor CCT Wattage Switchable LED Battens provided outstanding results within the Dance Hall and Multi-Use area, along with a set of Squash Courts which are also used by the local leisure centre, with the UGR element of the product being a key element of the product choice. These areas also saw a substantial reduction in energy use, with our products being more than twice as efficient as their old technology counterparts.
Other product lines included the Deco Grande which was used in the Sixth Form Breakout Space, and our Arial LED Converters, which were used in several areas and provided a clear and impressive difference in lighting levels; we have shown a before and after example below, with the difference being highlighted by the Academy's Headteacher. Our Converters were primarily chosen thanks to their versatility, with cut-outs across the Academy being varied and at times problematic; our Arial LED Converter options mitigated these issues. Our Ultra LED Battens can be found in general areas, with their reliability being beneficial to any space which requires good light levels and uniformity.
Our Arial Plus UGR<19 600x600 LED Panels were used for all Classroom areas, with our 25W option being more than enough to light the spaces to the relevant lighting design standards. This again represented a significant energy saving across the Academy, as 55W products were previously installed in these areas.
We had the pleasure of visiting Consett Academy for the second time in 2025, with the intention of capturing photography for the second phase of the lighting upgrade onsite.
Our products have been installed across a host of schools in the New College Durham Academies Trust, thanks to fantastic support from the Estates Compliance Coordinator who works tirelessly to maintain each site.
Phase 2 of the project largely focussed on our Mentor CCT Wattage Switchable LED Battens and our Illumina Atlas Wattage Switchable LED High Bay. Our Illumina Atlas High Bays were used within the Main Atrium, with the substantial mounting heights involved requiring a high power product which also limited glare with a uniform finish. 80 of our dimmable Mentor LED Battens were then installed within a large Sports Hall area within the Academy; the Sports Hall is also used out of hours by a partnering leisure centre, with glare limitation being a key consideration.
Our products look exceptional onsite thanks to a professional and skilled installation, and we are delighted that our products have provided consistent results across several schools within the New College Durham Academies Trust.
