Transforming Learning Through Scalable ICT Solutions

About:

At European Electronique, we are proud to support Castle Mead Academy and Brook Mead Academy, two forward-thinking schools under The Mead Educational Trust (TMET) based in Leicester.

Castle Mead Academy, located on Richard III Road, is a secondary free school with 1,200 students. Brook Mead Academy, located nearby on St Augustine Road, is a secondary school serving 1,200 pupils. These two institutions represent TMET’s commitment to delivering high-quality education in state-of-the-art environments supported by integrated technology.

Background:

In partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), TMET selected European Electronique as the ICT provider for both Castle Mead Academy (CMA) and Brook Mead Academy (BMA). Our objective was clear: to design and deliver a consistent, sustainable, and cloud-integrated ICT infrastructure that could evolve alongside the schools’ growth.

From the outset, our goal was to embed innovative, practical technology into the teaching and learning environments—while also aligning with TMET’s sustainability priorities and incumbent systems.

Challenges & Solutions:

At European Electronique, we pride ourselves on delivering intelligent ICT solutions that are tailored to real-world complexities. Our work with Castle Mead Academy and Brook Mead Academy—both part of The Mead Educational Trust—presented a range of challenges that we were proud to overcome through strategic planning, technical expertise, and close collaboration.

One of the most complex aspects of the project was managing a multi-phase ICT deployment across temporary and permanent school sites.

With shifting timelines and evolving construction schedules, we had to ensure that every element of the ICT infrastructure was not only delivered on time but was also designed to transition seamlessly between locations. We worked closely with the Trust and construction teams to ensure that the technology was ready when it was needed, with minimal disruption to teaching and learning.

In parallel, we aligned our ICT delivery with M&E and FF&E programmes, requiring real-time coordination across multiple contractors and timelines. By maintaining open communication channels and building in flexible deployment strategies, we kept the ICT programme fully integrated with the broader build schedule.

A key part of the brief was to integrate our solution with TMET’s incumbent cloud platform, Advanced IT Services (AIT). Rather than introducing unnecessary complexity, we enhanced their existing cloud infrastructure to deliver a cohesive, cloud-first environment. This allowed us to reduce onsite hardware requirements while delivering consistent experiences across both schools.

Sustainability was a priority shared by both TMET and EE. We implemented a range of eco-conscious practices, including the use of AIT’s cloud services to reduce energy consumption, bulk device packaging to cut down on waste, and power-saving configurations using classroom management software and intelligent HPE Aruba access points. Our aim was not just to deliver technology—but to deliver it responsibly.

As the project evolved and systems began to reach end-of-life, we returned in 2025 to complete a strategic infrastructure refresh at Brook Mead Academy. By proactively refreshing key components, we ensured continued reliability and performance without unnecessary capital outlay—demonstrating our commitment to long-term value and support.

Timeline:

Our experience working with EE has been very positive from the very beginning. Communication throughout the project has been very good and delivered as expected and on time.”
— Milan Premdjy, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at The Mead Educational Trust

Results:

Quantitative Outcomes

  • Two schools fully equipped with modern, scalable, and cloud-based ICT infrastructure.
  • Reduced power and cooling requirements due to efficient, cloud-first systems.

Qualitative Outcomes

  • Seamless integration with TMET’s existing systems and platforms.
  • Minimal disruption to operations across multiple transitions.
  • High satisfaction from school and trust leadership.
  • A strong, ongoing relationship with EE as a long-term ICT partner.

Conclusion:

Our work with The Mead Educational Trust reflects everything we stand for at European Electronique: technical expertise, forward-thinking design, sustainable practices, and strong partnership. We delivered more than just infrastructure—we helped lay the foundation for digital-first learning environments that will serve students and teachers for years to come.

We continue to work closely with TMET on future Free School projects and Trust-wide ICT strategies—helping them scale with confidence.