The challenge
Pipers Corner School is an independent day school for girls set across a 96-acre campus in Great Kingshill, Buckinghamshire, educating 605 pupils from age 4 to 18. The pastoral and safeguarding team had identified vaping as a growing concern, particularly among older pupils in the senior school. Because Pipers Corner is a day school the challenge presented differently to boarding environments: vaping was concentrated in specific locations and time windows — during breaks and at the start and end of the day. The solution needed to be rapid and reliable while remaining proportionate and respectful in an environment where much younger pupils are also present.
What we did
SEG Core conducted a site audit to identify where incidents had been reported and recommended a targeted deployment of Verkada SV11 environmental sensors in the most relevant areas of the senior school — toilets, changing rooms and sheltered outdoor spaces. Rather than a blanket installation, the approach was precise, focusing resource where the need was clearly established. Integration with Verkada's cameras means staff can review nearby footage the moment an alert fires, and SEG Core trained the designated safeguarding lead and pastoral staff on the platform.
The outcome
The deployment has given Pipers Corner's pastoral team a level of situational awareness they did not have before. Vaping incidents are identified quickly, dealt with consistently, and supported by timestamped sensor and camera data. The school has reported a significant deterrent effect and markedly increased staff confidence in managing safeguarding cases.