Schools Radio Audit 2026

The safeguarding problem most schools don’t know they have

Walk into almost any UK primary or secondary school and you will find two-way radios in use. Playground supervisors, site managers, reception staff, senior leadership — radio is the backbone of day-to-day school communications. It is fast, reliable, and doesn’t depend on mobile signal.

But here is the problem: most school radio systems were installed years ago, are running on unencrypted analogue frequencies, and have never been audited. Anyone within range with a basic scanner — available online for under £30 — can listen to every conversation on your site.

That includes conversations about individual pupils. Welfare concerns. Behavioural incidents. Medical information. Information that under GDPR and your school’s safeguarding policy should never be broadcast in the clear.

This is not a theoretical risk. It is a structural vulnerability in the way most school radio systems are currently configured — and one that is straightforward to address once it is identified.

What a school radio audit covers

Yesway Communications offers a free onsite radio audit for schools across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. The audit covers six areas:

1. Encryption status

Are your radios transmitting in the clear, or using digital encryption? Analogue radios — still common in schools — broadcast unencrypted audio that can be intercepted by anyone with a basic scanner. Digital radios using DMR or dPMR protocols can be configured with encryption that prevents unauthorised listening. We check your current status and advise on the options if your system is unencrypted.

2. Licence compliance

Two-way radios used in schools must operate on Ofcom-licensed frequencies. Many schools are running on frequencies that are either unlicensed, incorrectly licensed, or shared with other local users — creating interference and potential regulatory non-compliance. Operating an unlicensed radio system is an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. We check your current licence status and identify any issues.

3. Coverage mapping

Does your radio system actually cover the whole site? Dead spots — areas where radio communication fails — are a genuine safety risk, particularly in remote areas of large school sites such as playing fields, car parks and outbuildings. We walk the site and identify any coverage gaps.

4. Equipment condition and age

Radio equipment has a finite lifespan. Batteries degrade, contacts corrode, and older equipment may no longer meet current type approval requirements. We assess the condition of your existing handsets, chargers and any base station or repeater equipment, and advise on realistic service life.

5. Channel and talk group configuration

Are your radios configured correctly for your site? Schools often inherit radio systems that were set up for a previous configuration — wrong channels, unused talk groups, or no separation between staff teams. We review your channel plan and advise on any changes that would improve day-to-day usability and security.

6. GDPR and safeguarding implications

We provide a written summary of any safeguarding-relevant findings from the audit — specifically, any configurations that could result in sensitive pupil information being transmitted in a way that is accessible to unauthorised third parties. This gives your Data Protection Officer and Designated Safeguarding Lead a clear picture of the risk and the recommended remediation steps.

Why most school radio systems have never been audited

School radio systems tend to be installed and then forgotten. They work — most of the time — so they don’t attract attention. Unlike IT systems, which are subject to regular security reviews and GDPR assessments, radio communications infrastructure sits in a gap between the IT team’s remit and the site manager’s remit. Nobody owns it, so nobody audits it.

The result is that many schools are running systems that are years out of date, non-compliant with current Ofcom licensing requirements, and operating in a way that creates genuine data protection exposure — without anyone in the school being aware of it.

A radio audit takes less than half a day onsite and costs nothing. The written report gives you a clear action list with prioritised recommendations — from immediate remediation steps to longer-term upgrade options.

Who carries out the audit

Yesway Communications is a Lincoln-based wireless communications specialist with fifteen years of experience designing, installing and maintaining professional radio systems across education, healthcare, manufacturing and public safety. Our founder Craig Miles holds a PGCE with QTS and has worked in education — which means we understand the safeguarding context, not just the technical one.

All audits are carried out by Craig Miles personally. We are fully DBS checked and carry appropriate liability insurance for onsite work in educational settings.

How to register for your free audit

The free audit is available to schools across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. We carry out a limited number of audits each month to ensure we can give each school proper attention — so early registration is advisable.

To register, contact us via the Yesway contact page with your school name, site address, and a brief description of your current radio setup if known. We will come back to you within two working days to arrange a suitable date.

Alternatively, email us directly at service@yesway.co.uk with the subject line “School Radio Audit”.

There is no obligation to purchase anything following the audit. The report is yours to keep and act on however you choose.

Craig Miles is the founder of Yesway Communications — a Lincoln-based wireless communications specialist serving schools, healthcare, manufacturing and public safety across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. BSc · PGCE · QTS · Ofcom Licensed · DBS Checked.