VIEWS & OPINION Developing an effective IT strategy
Comment by RICHARD MARTIN, Digital Transformation Lead at edtech charity LGfL-The National Grid for Learning
The pandemic kickstarted the greatest advance in the uptake of technology in schools that we have ever seen. In fact, it brought forward the advancement of digital adoption by at least 5 years. There were many challenges, however digital teaching and learning happened. We need to fuel this advance, and ensure we continue to build digital capacity in our schools and MATs. It’s vital to extend that trajectory and think strategically about where your school is now and where you want to be.
The key components for developing an IT strategy
The kit – what you will need: • ICT for teaching and learning - educational software, display and presentation equipment and devices for teachers and pupils • ICT for administration - back office software for HR, finance, payroll and facilities management • ICT for development - management information systems, data analysis tools, reporting tools, fundraising and marketing software.
The outcomes – what your stakeholders need
Teachers need to: • Plan with online access to resources using standard laptops • Teach with reliable consistent classroom set ups and standardised display methods • Mark and annotate electronically • Enter and access data using a standardised school Management Information System (MIS) • Analyse data using a standard suite of consistent, accurate reports • Provide better pastoral care with simple systems to log, record and review incidents.
Pupils need: • A safe, secure digital environment to engage in learning and build digital skills and understanding.
Administrators, managers and support staff need: • Access to lightweight smaller laptops to work outside the office when necessary and a larger screen at other times • Single sign-on access to key software, simplified electronic procurement processes and centralised information.
IT review – where you are now and where you want to get to Establish your school’s level of ‘IT maturity’:
Agree the principles for your procurement team:
• All IT investment must contribute to great teaching and learning, improve safeguarding and compliance, improve efficiency and enable better communication and collaboration • Secure suppliers who offer value for money, alongside service, guidance and support.
Engage the stakeholders: • Create an ‘inclusive’ steering group - seek critical friends and encourage debate and discussion • Address stakeholder concerns openly and directly • Communicate regularly with email updates • Recognise contributions made by staff • Do not over commit to single demands.
Measure success and move forward: • Once again, review the school’s IT maturity and compare it to your previous findings – seek staff feedback, examine the financial implications and reflect on the challenges you faced • Set dates for the next strategy review and improvement process to begin.
Once you have established an IT strategy, with the focus on outcomes and a planned, continuous review process, technology will become embedded in the everyday life of your school and all its stakeholders.
CASE STUDY: ARK MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST Ark is a multi-academy-trust with a network of 39 schools located in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. Each of its schools have their own distinctive character, reflecting their local community.
The plan
Before work commenced on Ark’s IT update we checked that the plan was aligned with the objectives and vision of the Trust, and that we could provide a sustainable and appropriate IT infrastructure to support its vision. Expert professional organisations were selected through a robust procurement and selection process to deliver successful change. Buy in from its senior leadership team helped to drive the culture of accepting improved ways of working.
Adoption, shelf-life, outcomes and Return on Investment (ROI) The adoption of new technology is an ongoing activity, not a project based event. Change is driven by the schools’ Senior Leadership Team and budgetary planning on the “shelf life” of all technology is in place for every school. Return on Investment (ROI) is determined by the accurate measurement of the adoption of the technology by the schools.
By using this approach at Ark we were able to create an infrastructure that was stable, sustainable and scalable, measure the effectiveness of the systems and service in place, and save £0.5M per annum across the Trust. We initially hired 17 apprentices, 15 of which are now full-time technicians.
September 2022
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