St Edward’s School
St Edward’s School in Poole, Dorset, is a thriving co-educational secondary school that frequently hosts events celebrating its diverse and vibrant school community. As part of its continued development of student facilities, the school undertook the construction of a new external covered dining area, with a specific requirement for a dynamic lighting solution that could enhance the space and support a range of events throughout the school year.
LEDextra was selected to deliver a bespoke RGBW lighting system, working in close collaboration with Luna Electrical, the installing contractor, and Coomber Associates, the project architects. With a tight deadline ahead of a major school event, the team acted quickly to meet both the visual and technical demands of the brief.
LEDextra provided a basic 3D render using Lumion, which incorporated real product photometry to accurately visualise the lighting effects. This was accompanied by a detailed lighting calculation, demonstrating that the system would achieve the required 100 lux from the white channel, ensuring both functionality and ambience for the space.
To meet the demanding timeframe, LEDextra arranged for the Pharos Expert control system, specified and supplied as part of the package, to be pre-programmed off-site by commissioning engineer Darren Parlby. This proactive step allowed the system to be fully operational in time for the school’s event, with only a short on-site commissioning visit required afterwards to configure further dynamic scenes.
To support ongoing user management a bespoke user guide was created, enabling school maintenance staff to easily customise the lighting system for future events and activities. The result is a vibrant, flexible lighting installation that enhances the new dining area while offering full control over colour and scene-setting.
“St Edward’s School is delighted with the level of service provided by Dextra on our recent outdoor seating area lighting project. The RGBW lights supplied were exactly what we needed, both in terms of functionality and aesthetic appeal. Their installation has truly elevated the space, especially during evening events, where the lighting adds a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and the professionalism shown throughout the project.”
Gordon Staines, Business Manager – St. Edward’s School.
