In this case study, we’ll discuss:
- How Thomas Hickman School improved their communication across classrooms, offices and trips.
- Why flexibility matters in education environments.
- How partners like Intricall can deliver practical, tailored solutions like ANYWHERE for iPECS that fit how schools really work.
For schools, communication is constant. But it doesn’t stay in one place.
Staff move between classrooms, playgrounds and off-site activities. That creates gaps where traditional phone systems struggle.
As Robert Dickinson, Director at Intricall, explains, ‘every school we go to has got a different infrastructure.’ At Thomas Hickman School, the biggest problem showed up during trips.
Staff were using personal mobiles, which meant the school had no visibility of communication. There was a distinct lack in communication records, while key staff roles needed constant accessibility.
That’s exactly what Jason Brown, School Business Manager at Thomas Hickman School (THS), required. With a ‘diverse role’, Jason could be anywhere, meaning having that constant accessibility is crucial.
A lack of school mobiles meant there was no consistent way to reach staff. Failing to record conversations only increased both safeguarding and compliance risks.
Access to school mobiles is only half the story. When THS adopted ANYWHERE for iPECS, they gained a ‘flexible solution that [worked] alongside their existing phone system.’
Staff mobiles are turned into a genuine extension of the school’s iPECS phone system, rather than a separate app or second number to remember. Calls, presence and the main school number travel with the user, regardless of location. Every call is recorded and managed as if it was on the school’s own network.
Having a single platform that combined both mobile and desk phones completely changed the way THS could communicate and stay compliant.
Understanding how THS works
Rather than forcing change, Intricall focused on how THS staff already operated day to day.
Robert mentions how they took time to ‘understand what their requirements were.’ A clearer picture on specific needs would allow Intricall to ‘[deliver] a solution that was tailored to their requirement.’
The priorities were simple. Keep communication consistent, extend them beyond the office, and remove the awkward reliance on personal devices.
The move to flexible communications
Intricall introduced ANYWHERE for iPECS to extend the school’s existing phone system, rather than directly replace it.
This created a single, consistent communication platform that connected desk phones and mobile access. Staff were now able to stay connected anywhere, with all communications maintained through one recognisable school number.
Taking communications away from a desk makes a massive difference. As Robert mentions, ‘whether they’re at the other end of the playing field or whether they’re on a school trip… they’ll be able to contact that teacher.’
With ANYWHERE, parents would be ‘[presented] with the school number.’ From his own experience, Robert states how ‘if my daughter’s school rings me, I’m more likely to answer it.’ In the case that a parent misses a call, they’ll immediately know that they’re calling back the school.
The iPECS difference
ANYWHERE for iPECS has started to solve the other challenges THS were facing.
Safeguarding and compliance, for example, are built into the platform. The team now have a full record of all calls being made. If an issue arises, then staff have that record to hand.
The integration with iPECS acts as a ‘seamless extension.’ Mobile calls are captured and routed through the same platform as the school’s landlines. That way, the school office can communicate with anyone.
The integration with iPECS acts as a ‘seamless extension’ that allows the school office to communicate with anyone. Whether it’s at the end of the playing field, on a school trip, or even abroad, easy communication is fully enabled. All this helps THS remove risk and give the school full confidence in how communications are handled.
Adding an SLT button, as Jason mentions, acts as a ‘panic button’ that alerts all SLT members. It’s an easier way to reach senior leaders in the case of an emergency. Again, it’s building a safer, more connected environment.
The system works with how staff already operate. For any staff going off-site, all they have to do is pick up a phone as they’re heading out. There’s no added disruption and stops staff from having to use their personal devices.
All it does is create a better way to communicate.
The partner outcome
For Intricall, ANYWHERE for iPECS strengthens how they go to market.
Robert calls out how Intricall have opened new GTM routes in education. It ‘[uncovered] a USP’ within the telecoms market that ‘other solutions don’t have.’ When having conversations with schools, it’s ‘at the forefront.’
Such a unique proposition ‘sets [Intricall] aside… to [their] competitors.’ Support from Gamma helped make that possible.
Intricall and Gamma have been working together for several years now. Across that time, Gamma has ‘always been supportive’ as Intricall takes these products to market.
The Gamma team were always working to give Intricall the technical resources needed to understand how the solution worked. That support exists in both the back end and ‘from a management point of view.’ All connections are managed through a portal, making any changes easy to administer.
If Robert ever has any questions or challenges, ‘Gamma [is] always at the end of the phone and we’ll get a very quick response.’
Why do good communications matter in education?
Schools aren’t static environments. Communication needs to move with staff and not just wait for them to return to a desk. There’s a duty to safeguard children and keep all key leaders connected in the case of an emergency.
Having ANYWHERE for iPECS works well for all parties:
- THS gain access to compliant, always-on communications that keeps the school environment connected.
- Intricall finds new routes to market and use cases for iPECS.
- Gamma proves the strength of a relationship built on listening and collaboration.
That’s the lesson here.
About Intricall
Intricall, founded in 2019, is on mission to simplify and demystify the telecoms industry. Their expertise in managing client relationships revolves around offering a more straightforward, customer-focused approach. They’re committed to being both a trusted collaborator and advisor as their clients scale their operations.
Quick Answers: Thomas Hickman School and ANYWHERE for iPECS: A Lesson in Connectivity and Compliance
How can schools stay contactable outside the office?
By extending their phone system to mobile devices, staff can remain reachable wherever they’re working. It can be across the site, or further afield.
Why is recording communication important for schools?
The ability to record communications supports safeguarding and compliance by providing a clear record of all conversations.
How can schools improve response rates from parents?
Using a consistent school number increases the likelihood that parents will answer and return important calls.
What should schools look for in a communications solution?
The right kind of communications solutions need to be simple, flexible, and possess the ability to work alongside existing systems without disruption.
