IT / Technology

How We Use IT Across Our Trust

Introduction to the Director of Technology

The Director of Technology plays a pivotal role in the strategic implementation and management of I.T. within our Trust. They are responsible for overseeing the development and enhancement of I.T. systems to ensure they meet the educational and administrative needs of the trust. The Director ensures that the IT infrastructure is robust, secure, and capable of supporting the dynamic environment of our schools.  

Steve Hollands (shollands@wmat.org.uk) is the Director of Technology and is always happy to support schools in any way he can.

Our Aligned Managed Service Provider (MSP) Eduthing (www.eduthing.co.uk)

For many of our schools, we have partnered with a managed service provider, Eduthing, who aligns with our vision and values. This collaboration ensures that the schools benefit from a standardised and high-quality I.T. service. As new schools join our trust, where they have a current MSP contract we will evaluate their current contracts and upon expiration, if appropriate, will look to align them with our chosen provider. This transition is managed carefully to ensure a seamless integration with minimal disruption to the school’s operations.

Our broadband provider is currently Schools Broadband through Talkstraight, however we have recently made the decision to transition to LGfL, this transition will take place as individual school's contracts with their current provider ends.  Additionaly, We utilise a centralised phone system called CallSwitch. These partnerships are integral to our commitment to providing reliable and efficient communication channels across our trust.

Benefits of an Aligned MSP

The advantages of having an aligned MSP are:

• Consistency: A unified approach to I.T. services across all schools ensures consistency in the quality and delivery of I.T. support.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Leveraging economies of scale, we can negotiate better rates and reduce overall I.T. costs for the Trust.

• Expertise: Access to a broader pool of I.T. expertise and resources ensures that we can address a wide range of I.T. challenges efficiently.

• Innovation: With a dedicated MSP, we can stay abreast of the latest technological advancements and integrate innovative solutions to enhance learning and administration.

• Focus on Education: By entrusting I.T. operations to a reliable MSP, school leaders and staff can focus more on their core mission – delivering exceptional education.

MSP Audits and Future Planning

Our MSP conducts thorough audits of each of the schools they support to assess future needs and areas for development. These audits are crucial for strategic planning and budgeting, ensuring that we are always one step ahead in meeting the evolving I.T. requirements of our schools.

Each school is expected to have a 3-year IT development plan, supported by the Director of Technology and Eduthing or appropriate internal IT support. This plan is essential for supporting budget planning and providing strategic direction for the IT landscape within our trust.

Vision for Cloud Integration

As a trust, our vision is to move all of our schools into the cloud. The benefits of cloud computing are significant:

• Scalability: The cloud provides the flexibility to scale I.T. resources up or down as needed, accommodating the changing demands of our schools.

• Accessibility: Cloud services ensure that students and staff have access to information and applications from anywhere, at any time, fostering a more flexible learning environment.

• Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration tools in the cloud facilitate better communication and teamwork among students and staff.

• Cost Savings: Moving to the cloud can reduce the costs associated with maintaining physical I.T. infrastructure.

• Disaster Recovery: Cloud services offer robust disaster recovery solutions, ensuring that our data is safe and recoverable in the event of an emergency.

• Security: With advanced security measures in place, the cloud provides a secure platform for storing and managing our sensitive educational data.

The strategic use of IT under the guidance of the Director of Technology and in partnership with Eduthing is instrumental in advancing the Trust’s mission. 

It ensures that our schools are equipped with the necessary tools to provide a high-quality education and prepares our students for a technology-driven future.