BESA CORNER
This month in our ongoing feature highlighting the work of members of the UK education suppliers’ trade body BESA, we hear from ACORRO, READSPEAKER and TEAM REPAIR.
Why all schools should upgrade to a cloud-based telephone system
The UK is going digital so it’s time to future-proof your telephone system which keeps your school connected. Openreach is in the process of updating
your local BT exchange – moving to a full fibre network to enable a consistent, reliable and all digital future. In a nutshell the switch to digital will see the end of the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) and all traditional lines, ISDN phone systems and older internet connections. This is in motion and will happen in 2025. So, what does this mean for your school? All existing traditional BT telephone lines/services must be migrated to IP ahead of the BT switch off. This will affect your school, so it’s time to make sure you’re prepared. But fear not, it’s an exciting time and the benefits are huge! Essentially, it means you will need to upgrade your telephone system to a cloud-based telephone system.
What are the benefits of a cloud-based telephone phone system? Simple set-up - Implementation is quick and easy, with a seamless transition to your new system and most importantly retention of all your existing telephone numbers. Easy management - Cloud telephone systems have a simple-to-use administrator interface that allows your school staff to easily carry out day-to-day updates, moves and changes to the system. You don’t need to be an IT expert! So changing messages for holidays and sports days is simple. No Equipment to be maintained onsite only the telephone handsets
Staff stay connected, anytime, anywhere - The cloud allows you to easily manage all calls whether you are in the school office, elsewhere on the school site or working remotely. Perfect for roaming staff after school clubs and site teams Presence & availability of staff - Your office staff would have a full overview of all users/devices, indicating their presence and availability, to enable fast and efficient call handling. Paging and Intercom - The ability to make announcements through the handsets in emergency and lockdown situations. Mobile Apps - Apps for android and iOS which allow you to take your office extension with you anywhere Answer calls to your office phone extension via your mobile device and transfer to colleagues without asking customers to call another number. Case study
Established in 1953, Fitzjohn’s Primary School is a Primary school in Hampstead, London. The school took over the school buildings and some of the grounds that were previously part of the estate belonging to the Royal Soldiers’ Daughters’ Home.
Aside from resolving Fitzjohn’s immediate communications issues, one of the objectives was to upgrade to a cloud-based telephony solution. An initial audit of the school located and documented all existing telephone lines and numbers, revealing legacy lines that were being paid for but not required, hence making a real saving by ceasing them.
The existing telephone lines and numbers were then transferred to the cloud and the service was ready to go live. This number transfer was carried out with no disruption to the school. Training and Support was provided during and is ongoing for the staff.
Frank Swan, Business Manager at Fitzjohn’s Primary School, said: “The whole experience of moving to hosted telephony with Horizon has been an extremely positive one. Working closely with Acorro, an initial audit identified the phone lines we didn’t need, which meant we were able to start saving money immediately. With no complicated equipment to maintain and no upfront capital expenditure. The new system has really helped us to reduce our long-term telecoms spend. Staff find the system very easy to use and it provides a much more professional image to parents wishing to contact us. We are delighted with the results.”
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www.education-today.co.uk
How to engage students and transform their experiences
There are many inspiring examples of innovative teaching methods across UK classrooms which are engaging students and building student curiosity and better learning outcomes. We know that student engagement is such an important indicator of wellbeing and future success, however sustained success comes from implementing campus- wide strategies that truly connect with every student. By blending Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with Assistive Technology (AT), such as text-to-speech, we see the real magic of student engagement taking place.
Universal Design for Learning: The foundation of engagement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a flexible teaching framework developed by our partner CAST that empowers teachers to create more engaging, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences. At the heart of UDL is the idea that students are more engaged when they have choices in how they learn. Its core principle is to empower learners, enabling each student to take ownership of their learning journey and actively participate in the learning process. By offering multiple ways to access content and express understanding, UDL naturally increases motivation and participation.
Assistive Technology: A powerful ally to UDL While UDL sets the stage for engagement, Assistive Technology (AT) brings it to life. AT includes tools that support students with specific challenges—such as reading, writing, or communication difficulties— but also offers benefits to all learners. The key to engagement through AT lies in its ability to provide personalised support while being available to everyone in the classroom.
Text-to-Speech: A tool for every learner
Of course for students with dyslexia, reading challenges, or those learning English, this tool is invaluable in overcoming barriers to learning. But beyond these specific needs, text-to-speech (TTS) can enhance engagement for all students. When students have the option to listen to text, they are more likely to stay focused and motivated, especially when tackling complex course content; a challenging piece of literature, a volume of text, math equations or science formulas. In a UDL classroom, text-to-speech is integrated into everyday learning, it allows choice and leads to student empowerment, better comprehension and retention, all of which naturally deepen engagement. Expert Insights:
Janea, New Mexico UDL Team: “My favourite tool is text-to-speech and the biggest myth is that AT is associated with special education. UDL takes down the barrier or stigma of AT and enables each student to choose how they want to use technology.”
”When text-to-speech is embedded in the learning content, it becomes a tool for everyone, not just a select group. No one stands out, and engagement improves across the board.”
Text-to-Speech: seamless integration with virtual learning environments
Bringing text-to-speech into the classroom isn’t complicated. Many schools already use digital textbooks with audio features, or have adopted cloud-based platforms that integrate ReadSpeaker text-to- speech capabilities directly into learning materials. By making these resources easily accessible, schools ensure that all students—regardless of learning differences—have equal opportunities to engage with content.
Benefits for both students and teachers
When schools embrace both AT and UDL, classrooms become places where engagement is the norm. Teacher workload is eased and student wellbeing and satisfaction improved, every student has the tools they need to thrive. With the right support in place, the magic of learning happens naturally, transforming classrooms into spaces of possibility, equity, and success for all.
To find out more, visit:
https://www.readspeaker.com/contact/ November 2024
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