In a striking demonstration of technology’s role in education, Chilwell School, a mixed, non-selective secondary school in Nottinghamshire, has embraced digital signage to connect with its community of over 1,000 students aged 11 to 18. The school, which includes a sixth form, has partnered with TrilbyTV and educational IT provider Getech to deploy a dynamic signage solution powered by the Lenovo Chromebox Micro. A new video released by TrilbyTV showcases how this collaboration has brought Chilwell’s vision for modern communication to life.
Chilwell School prides itself on offering a broad and challenging curriculum aimed at empowering learners and fostering success. When the school sought a digital signage solution, Getech recommended TrilbyTV for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and education-focused design. Simon Hool, business development manager at Getech, praised the platform’s suitability. “TrilbyTV is a fantastic solution for education,” he said. “It’s built for education, it’s priced at the right point for education and covers all of the points a school would need for their digital signage solutions.”
To ensure seamless delivery of content, Getech paired TrilbyTV with the Lenovo Chromebox Micro, a compact and efficient signage player. Hool highlighted its advantages, stating, “The Lenovo Chromebox Micro is a fantastic solution for digital signage. It’s low energy and it’s easy to deploy using Chrome OS software. It’s completely dust-proof and sealed as well, so if it is in a messy environment, that won’t interfere with the device.” This durability and ease of use have proven ideal for the school’s busy setting.
Since its implementation, Chilwell School has installed 14 screens across its campus, leveraging TrilbyTV’s Playlists and Categories features to tailor content to specific areas. The system has transformed how the school shares updates and celebrates achievements. Headteacher Sarah Baxter-Williams emphasized its impact. “Unlike a poster that just stays there, with TrilbyTV there’s a rolling programme of information,” she said. “We can schedule it and make sure that it’s current information and relevant to what’s happening in school at the moment.” She added, “This has really transformed information sharing with students and their response to it has been really positive.”
**Strengthening identity through technology.** The signage initiative has also played a pivotal role in embedding Chilwell’s brand into daily school life. Kirsty Lowde, the school’s Business Manager, oversees support functions, including IT infrastructure and site development, and has been instrumental in shaping the school’s aesthetic. Reflecting on the rollout, she recalled her favourite moment. “It took that vision of what we wanted the school to look like and it became a reality,” she said. “It looked professional, sharp, and did what we needed it to do.”
The benefits extend beyond the school walls. Lowde noted that content displayed on the screens is repurposed for Chilwell’s social media accounts. “So we can share with families and the wider community all the amazing things we’re doing in Chilwell School,” she explained. This dual-purpose approach amplifies the school’s reach and fosters greater engagement with parents and local residents.
TrilbyTV, marketed as the leading digital signage platform for education, aligns with Chilwell’s goals of enhancing communication and community cohesion. Designed with affordability and usability in mind, it offers schools a versatile tool to connect with staff, students, and parents. The platform’s features, such as scheduled playlists and categorised content, allow Chilwell to keep its messaging fresh and relevant, whether announcing events, sharing student successes, or reinforcing the school’s values.
For Chilwell School, the partnership with TrilbyTV and Getech has delivered more than just a technological upgrade. It has revitalised how the institution communicates, engages its students, and projects its identity, proving that thoughtfully implemented tools can make a tangible difference in education.
