With Wildix, delivered by Wavenet, the Trust unified communication for over 450 users, enabling seamless collaboration, flexible working, and simplified system management
Saffron Academy Trust (SAT), founded in 2011, is a growing multi-academy trust supporting primary and secondary schools across Essex, focused on high-quality education and collaboration.
By implementing Wildix with Wavenet, we’ve transformed communication for over 450 users across nine schools. What was once fragmented is now seamless, delivering measurable efficiency gains, reduced costs, and giving our internal team full control.
Dan Wright
ICT Hub Manager
The Problem
Saffron Academy Trust supports over 450 users across multiple schools and sites in the South East of England. Prior to adopting Wildix, each school operated independently with its own analogue phone system and on‑site PBX.
This fragmented approach created growing operational challenges. Inter-site communication was inefficient, often requiring calls to be routed externally or through reception, causing delays and unnecessary complexity. At the same time, maintaining multiple legacy systems became increasingly time-consuming and often required external intervention.
The existing systems were overly complex and time-consuming to support. It made day-to-day operations unsustainable for us as a Trust.
Dan Wright
ICT Hub Manager
As the Trust expanded, it became clear that a more unified, scalable solution was essential, one that could simplify communication while supporting both staff and ICT teams.
The Solution
Saffron Academy Trust partnered with Wavenet to implement the Wildix unified communications platform across all schools and sites.
The solution was built around flexibility and ease of use. Staff were given the choice to operate via desk phones or applications, ensuring the system could adapt to different roles across the Trust. At the same time, the platform’s simplicity enabled the internal ICT team to take full ownership of system management.
What stood out was the flexibility. We could tailor the setup to each user, and the system is simple enough for us to manage in‑house without relying on external support.
Ben Johnson
ICT Hub Manager
The mobile app further enhanced accessibility, allowing staff to log in and work from any location with minimal setup, supporting a more flexible and responsive working model.
From a technical delivery perspective, consistency and reliability were critical throughout the rollout.
Deploying the system across all sites with a consistent setup made a huge difference. It just works, whether staff are on‑site or remote, and that reliability is key for us.
James Craig
Trust ICT Technical Specialist
Wavenet proved to be a trusted and highly capable partner throughout the project. Building on an existing relationship with one of the Trust’s schools, they quickly established a deep understanding of the Trust’s broader requirements and worked collaboratively to design and deliver a solution tailored to its needs.
Their proactive approach, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively under tight deadlines ensured a smooth and timely rollout across all sites. Crucially, Wavenet struck the right balance between support and empowerment, enabling the Trust to manage the system internally, while remaining readily available to provide expert guidance whenever needed.
This combination of responsiveness, technical expertise, and genuine partnership has provided the Trust with ongoing confidence and reassurance in its communications infrastructure.
The Result
The implementation of Wildix has transformed communication across Saffron Academy Trust.
Communication between schools is now seamless. Staff can connect instantly without relying on reception or external routing, significantly improving efficiency and saving time in daily operations.
The system has also enabled greater flexibility, allowing staff to work from any location while maintaining full access to communication tools.
Communication across the Trust has improved significantly. Staff can connect instantly between sites and work far more efficiently, wherever they are.
Dan Wright
ICT Hub Manager
Operationally, the Trust now benefits from a system that is easy to manage internally, reducing reliance on external support and enabling faster adjustments as needs evolve.
These improvements have delivered clear, measurable value:
- Cost efficiency through reduced telephony expenditure
- Improved collaboration across academies via shared directories and quick-dial access
- Time savings by removing unnecessary call routing
- Greater flexibility for staff working across multiple locations
Saffron Academy Trust now operates with a modern, scalable communications platform that supports both current requirements and future growth.
Requirements
- Simple, intuitive system for staff
- Easy in-house management for ICT teams
- Scalable across multiple schools and sites
- Seamless communication between locations
- Remote and mobile access from anywhere
- Reliable, consistent user experience
- Flexible setup tailored to each user
Value Gained
- Reduced telephony costs across the Trust
- Faster, seamless communication between sites
- Time savings by removing call routing delays
- Improved collaboration across schools
- Greater flexibility for remote and mobile staff
- Full control with in‑house system management
- Scalable platform supporting future growth
The solution has been provided by the Wildix Partner
- Wavenet Limited
- Wavenet HQ, One Central Boulevard, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 8BG
- enquiries@wavenet.co.uk
- 0333 234 0011
- wavenet.co.uk
