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.
Overview of security measures
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.”
Commitment to safety in schools
The initiative not only aims to make schools safer but also to foster community engagement
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.
Global initiative and future plans
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.
Global security solutions specialist Convergint is giving its time and technology to deliver video surveillance improvements at Hythe Bay Primary School in Kent, supporting a community-focused project designed to strengthen site safety and provide added reassurance for pupils, staff, families and the wider school community.
The project, which is being delivered voluntarily by Convergint’s UK team, will help improve visibility across the school site, supporting day-to-day safety while helping Hythe Bay remain an open, welcoming place to learn.
Practical security support
The work is being delivered as part of Convergint’s STEP Up for Schools — Secure, Train, Educate and Protect — global initiative, which helps schools access practical security support, technology and expertise. The Hythe Bay project is being supported with solutions and support from Genetec, Hanwha and Wesco.
The activity forms part of Convergint Social Responsibility Day, the company’s annual day of service, when colleagues around the world volunteer their time and expertise to support the communities where they live and work. In the UK, the Hythe Bay project brings that global initiative into a local school setting, with a focus on practical, proportionate security improvements.
Video surveillance improvements
For schools, safety has to be balanced with the need to remain open, calm and welcoming. The Hythe Bay project focuses on video surveillance improvements that support visibility and reassurance without changing the character of the school environment.
“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,” said Amy O’Loughlin, Europe Marketing Manager at Convergint UK. “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.”
Safety in learning environments
“Hythe Bay Primary School took a proactive step by putting itself forward for STEP Up, and the project reflects exactly what the initiative is designed to do: bring together Convergint’s expertise, our colleagues’ time and support from partners to help strengthen safety in learning environments.”
“STEP Up is something our teams around the world are eager to participate in each year because it creates practical value for the communities where we live and work. Supporting Hythe Bay through this UK project gives us a valuable opportunity to bring that approach into a local school community, and we hope to build on it with more STEP Up activity across the UK and Europe in the future.”
Practical safety measures
Hythe Bay Primary School put itself forward for support through the initiative after identifying an opportunity to strengthen practical safety measures across its site. The application was taken forward by Convergint’s STEP Up team and has helped create one of the first UK school projects connected to the programme.
Rebecca Prout, Hythe Bay Primary School’s headteacher, said: “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. This is a positive project for our pupils, staff, families and wider school community.”
Security risk assessments
In addition to the UK project, a further school project in France is also planned to be delivered on June 5, marking the first two STEP Up installs in Europe. In total, 2026’s Convergint Social Responsibility Day will bring together nearly 11,000 colleagues, families and more than 45 industry partners across 37 countries, contributing approximately 60,000 volunteer hours worldwide. From supporting children and families in need to advancing school safety and strengthening local communities, these initiatives reflect Convergint’s belief that creating a safer and more secure world starts with investing in the people and communities we serve.
Through the 2026 STEP Up for Schools Grant Programme, Convergint and its technology partners have awarded 30 grants supporting a range of school safety and security needs, including access control, video systems, environmental and vape sensors, preventative maintenance services, fire alarm inspections and security risk assessments.
Underserved schools worldwide
“Our long-standing partnership with Convergint is built on shared values, including a commitment to innovation, customer success and community engagement,” said Georges Tannous, Area Vice President, META/UK & Ireland at Genetec. “Initiatives like STEP Up for Schools demonstrate what’s possible when technology providers and integrators combine to make a tangible difference.”
Since 2002, on the first Friday in June, the company has observed Convergint Social Responsibility Day (CSRD), closing for a full, paid workday so colleagues can serve in their communities through various service projects. Convergint established its STEP Up for Schools Initiative as part of CSRD to help strengthen school security. Through the program, Convergint provides free safety and security installations, upgrades, and assessments to underserved schools worldwide. These initiatives aim to give back and create impactful change in communities around the world, and Convergint Social Responsibility Day strives to inspire all colleagues to surpass what they believe is possible.
