6 things to consider when buying Stage Lighting Equipment for schools

There’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of a well-produced live event. Whether it's a musical performance, graduation ceremony or a dramatic play, having properly set-up, professional, lighting will help make a great impression on your audience. At Stage Electrics, we have more than forty years of experience in lighting. We’ve seen it all, and have a solution to any issue, a setup for any venue and a team of technical experts who can help make sure you get the right lighting solution for your needs. Here’s our simple guide to choosing stage lighting for your school.

1: Cost

Though it may seem obvious, keeping costs down is often a key consideration for many organisations, and schools are no different. However, whilst buying the lowest-cost lighting solution may seem like the most logical thing to do, there is such a thing as too cheap.

Saving money on an ongoing basis is also a concern, and it’s often the little things that can make a big difference. For example, choosing LED fixtures over tungsten ones mean you’ll be using less electricity. They also produce less heat which is safer and requires no lamp/bulb changes (which with lights mounted on the ceiling is a real time saver!). Our lighting systems can be designed around a wide range of budgets, and we cover everything from small halls to larger auditoriums.

2: Safety

Even in the most safety-conscious environments accidents can happen. That's why it's important to choose a lighting solution that’s rugged enough for everyday use and doesn’t include anything that could become a safety hazard. Your lighting solution will get plenty of use, and they need to stand up to the rigours of regular handling.

To ensure your system provides years of safe, efficient, light we can help you stay up to date with all the required safety regulations and certifications. We provide EICR, ISITEE (PAT), LOLER and PUWER inspection, testing and compliance services, and can handle any ongoing maintenance your system might need. So, you can stop worrying about your lighting solution and focus on what you do best - teaching your students.

3: Ease of use

Unless your school is fortunate enough to have a trained technician, some systems may prove daunting. Complex lighting solutions often involve complicated hardware, software, and instruction manuals that may as well have been written in hieroglyphics! Fortunately, a lighting solution doesn’t have to be complicated. Choosing the right lighting solution that’s both easy to set-up, and easy to use, could save you time, money, and technical issues down the line.

 For schools looking for an easy to use lighting solutions we recommend Opus systems, they are designed for busy teachers. It turns on with one button. Speakers, projector, and overhead lights are all controlled from one simple control panel. Opus just works.

Have music on your phone? Plug it in, or connect via Bluetooth, and play.  Want to show a video from YouTube? Link your laptop and you’re away. A CD? A DVD? Opus plays them all without the need to download drivers, swap around wires or call in IT support. Ask us for more information on Opus systems and how they create a stimulating, immersive, environment for pupils to live, learn and play.

4: Reliability

The night of the big student performance or end of year ceremony is the worst time to discover your lighting system isn’t up to standard. When choosing a lighting solution, you want to choose a model from a proven, trusted manufacturer. It’s no good buying a lighting solution only to find you can’t get spare parts or that there’s no support when issues crop up.

We maintain an extensive warehouse full of industry-leading, widely recognised lighting, sound and stage equipment.

5: Size and function

Whatever the size of your hall, stage, or venue it is always worth consulting a professional before making any purchases. If you’re simply replacing an existing setup, it may be possible to simply choose lights with the same or better performance as the outgoing fixtures. But if it’s for a new space or to cover the expansion of a particular stage it's often worth getting specialist advice to make sure you don’t end up with a system that doesn’t provide enough light, or worse one that blinds everyone on stage the second you turn it on.

At Stage Electronics we can help. Our technical team have installed customised systems in everything from small studios to large university facilities and our approach is the same wherever we work. The right system for you and your needs.

6: Right for your needs.

One of the main issues in buying a new system is making sure it’s actually what you need. Our vast experience and expertise in lighting, sound and video presentation solutions, combined with the wide range of products and services we offer, means we will only recommend a solution that’s right for you. If you don’t need it, we won’t suggest it. It’s why customers come back to us year after year. Trust, service and value – it’s what we do.

Whether you want to talk about our Opus audio, visual and lighting systems, or a bespoke lighting solution for your school, we’re here, ready to help you find the right lighting solution for your needs.