St Athan’s Primary School is a community-focused school located in Barry, South Wales. Serving local families with a commitment to nurturing learning and development, the school provides a vital educational environment for young children in the area. Like many older educational buildings, the school operates with legacy infrastructure that presents unique challenges when it comes to modernisation and upgrades.
During the half-term break, a fire broke out at the rear of the school, causing significant damage to three classrooms and the main communications room (MCR). In response, urgent infrastructure work was needed to restore the school’s IT systems, ensuring minimal disruption to teaching and learning. Datel was appointed to carry out a rapid, full installation of structured cabling under tight time constraints.
Restore full IT network functionality ahead of student return.
Replace damaged cabling infrastructure and install a new MCR.
Design and install modern containment and cabling routes suited to an older school building.
Ensure safety, compliance, and minimal disruption to remaining school facilities.
Cabling:
58 x COMMSCOPE CAT6A data cables installed throughout affected areas of the school.
Containment:
Combination of conduit and basket containment systems used for both high and low-level cable routing. Routes were carefully planned to accommodate the school’s original structure and high ceilings, particularly in the main hall.
MCR Installation:
A new main communications room was established and fitted with a new data cabinet, replacing the unit lost in the fire. Cabling was neatly loomed and labelled for future maintenance.
Access Points:
Wireless access points (APs) were reconnected and tested, ensuring reliable coverage across restored areas.
Rapid Turnaround:
All works were completed in just six days, from initial survey through to handover.
Despite significant fire damage and logistical challenges posed by the building’s layout, Datel successfully delivered a full structured cabling installation on time and to specification. The restored network ensured that students could return to class without delay, with no loss of connectivity or digital access.
The project demonstrated Datel’s ability to respond swiftly in high-pressure environments, applying both technical precision and flexible thinking to deliver a solution that was both robust and future-proof.
