Bede's School, The Dicker
Preserving dark skies, enhancing safety, and celebrating community identity through connected lighting.
Bede's School sits at the heart of The Dicker, a vibrant rural community in Sussex. When two new roundabouts were constructed to improve traffic flow, the existing lighting became ineffective, creating a dark, complex junction where four roads converge.
On behalf of Bede's School, Urbis Schréder was tasked with delivering a lighting upgrade that addressed modern needs while respecting the area’s rural character.
Lighting with Purpose
The installation needed to achieve several key objectives:
- Improve safety and security for drivers and pedestrians near the school.
- Reduce energy consumption, maintenance and cost through innovative lighting technologies.
- Minimise light pollution to protect dark skies and local biodiversity in the interests of residents and visitors.
Our solution centred around Schréder EXEDRA, our control management system (CMS), giving the client full visibility and control over the lighting network via any secure, internet-enabled device.
The connected system ensures the right amount of light, in the right place, at the right time.
Lighting on demand
To further maximise energy savings and support dark sky protection, radar and PIR sensors were integrated into the Schréder EXEDRA system. The radar sensors are strategically positioned to point away from the village, detecting oncoming vehicles before they reach the junction. Meanwhile, PIR sensors face the school and nearby pedestrian crossings to accurately detect foot traffic in these high-use areas.
When presence is detected, lanterns boost to 100% brightness to improve visibility and reassurance. After a short period of inactivity, the lighting gradually dims, following a defined schedule:
- 6pm–10pm: 100% output
- 10pm–Midnight: 50%
- Midnight onwards: 20%
This action helps to protect dark skies and has resulted in an energy saving of 33%.
These dimming regimes and lighting levels can be altered remotely, by secure registered users, at any time via the EXEDRA interface. The system also enables monitoring of peak activity, sensor performance and lantern operation—prompting data-driven adjustments that further improve efficiency and performance.
Additional savings may be possible by reducing the existing five-minute delay before dimming resumes following detection.
A stylish blend of contemporary and heritage
To maintain the visual charm of the area, our Valentino GEN2 lanterns were specified—finished with Castlenau kits to reflect the village’s traditional architectural character.
These decorative lanterns were selected in 2700K to minimise light pollution and support environmental responsibility, while enhancing the village’s unique identity and inviting character.
This warm colour temperature mimics the soft glow of gas lamps, enhancing the historic feel of the village. Technically, 2700K emits less blue light, which scatters more easily in the atmosphere and causes sky glow—a major contributor to light pollution. Reducing blue light helps preserve dark skies and protect local wildlife from disorientation and disruption.
The lanterns also include discreetly integrated 7-PIN NEMA sockets and smart nodes, maintaining their aesthetic while connecting seamlessly to the wider Schréder EXEDRA network.
Connected for community and conservation
The Bede's School lighting upgrade demonstrates how smart, sustainable infrastructure can elevate safety and efficiency without compromising heritage or the environment.
By combining intelligent lighting control with heritage-inspired design, the installation:
- Improves safety for road users and pedestrians
- Delivers 33% energy savings (with potential for more)
- Protects local wildlife and biodiversity
- Enhances the character and identity of The Dicker
This connected approach shows how modern lighting can do more than illuminate—it can support community wellbeing while preserving the night sky.
