Project Information
Tackling Vaping in Schools with Smart Technology – Skinners’ Kent Academy and Verkada Sensor Implementation
The Skinners’ Kent Academy, a non-selective school located in Tunbridge Wells, was increasingly challenged by the rise in vaping among students—a trend echoed in educational institutions across the UK. With a student population from a mix of socio-economic backgrounds and an open campus layout, discreet monitoring of vape use became a priority for the Academy’s leadership.
While communal spaces such as corridors and outdoor areas were well-covered by CCTV, students began exploiting the privacy of toilet cubicles, particularly those with full-height doors and walls, as safe havens for vaping without detection.
- Service
- Provision of Verkada SV23 Environmental Sensors
- Location
- Tunbridge Wells
- Handover Date
- 2024/2025
- Client
- The Skinners' Kent Academy
Delivery
Challenge
The Academy’s toilet design, intended to promote privacy and reduce intimidation, inadvertently provided secluded spots ideal for unsupervised vaping. This presented a significant obstacle to enforcing school policies and maintaining a healthy environment.
Initial concerns focused on how to monitor these enclosed areas without compromising student privacy. Traditional detection systems lacked the specificity and responsiveness required for targeted intervention.
The Solution: Verkada Sensor Pilot Scheme
Following consultations with fire safety experts and safeguarding advisors, The Skinners’ Kent Academy collaborated with ECO MEP to explore an innovative solution—SV23 environmental sensors from Verkada.
A pilot installation began in the Upper Years’ toilet corridor adjacent to the dining hall. This area housed seven fully enclosed cubicles, each equipped with a dedicated Verkada sensor due to the inefficiency of shared monitoring in such a design. The sensors were selected for their discreet profile, air quality detection, and ability to integrate seamlessly with existing IT and security infrastructure.
The Academy’s internal IT team managed the installation and integration with the existing CCTV system, using Verkada’s Command platform to configure real-time alerts. Each alert, triggered by vape aerosol detection, was timestamped and reviewed against CCTV footage, enabling swift identification of the individuals involved. Incidents were escalated to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for appropriate disciplinary action.
Results and Expansion
The initial pilot yielded significant results:
- A noticeable decrease in vaping incidents in the monitored area.
- Behavioural shifts, with students avoiding high-surveillance zones.
- Improved deterrence through visible accountability.
- Encouraged by this success, The Skinners’ Kent Academy proceeded with a wider rollout. An estimated 50–60 sensors were procured through ECO MEP to cover the remaining at-risk toilet areas throughout the main Academy building.
The Academy’s Sixth Form centre, housed in a separate structure, presented a different challenge. With six open-top cubicles and a communal sink area, one strategically placed sensor provided effective coverage, eliminating the need for multiple installations.
Impact and Client Feedback
Since the full implementation of Verkada’s environmental sensors:
- Vape-related incidents across the campus have dropped dramatically.
- School leadership reports improved campus air quality and student behaviour.
- SLT and maintenance teams praised ECO MEP for their consultative approach and seamless delivery of a tailored solution.
According to the Academy’s Estates Manager:
“The integration of Verkada sensors has transformed our approach to student wellbeing and behaviour management. ECO MEP’s guidance was instrumental in ensuring we selected the right tools for our unique environment.”
The Skinners’ Kent Academy successfully leveraged smart sensor technology to address a growing health and discipline issue. Through the strategic deployment of Verkada environmental sensors, backed by strong planning and expert support from ECO MEP, the Academy now offers a safer, healthier, and more accountable environment for students and staff alike.