Academisation and IT: Why It’s Time to Rethink Conventional Approaches Contributor’s name: Nigel Milligan

In his latest article, Nigel Milligan explores the evolving landscape of IT solutions in the context of academisation. He raises important questions about the conventional approaches many academies still follow and advocates for more strategic and cost-effective implementation

In the last few months, I have had many varied conversations about the impact of academisation and the way that IT solutions are delivered in their schools. Last month I questioned the conventional approach that many schools still adopt and in the case of many academies, they are doing the same. My aim is to create open questions as to how IT Systems and solutions are set up in schools that have already academised or are about to start the process.

Many schools will be in different places with their IT, dependent on many factors. One example is a group of Primary schools who have transformed the way they use technology by moving away from the conventional world of Windows servers etc. over 10 years ago. They are now in the process of looking for a single IT company who can work with them to create what can only be described as a journey back in time to the conventional! The cost to do so is a significant one, which in the long run will mean more support being required as well as stifling creativity by shoehorning an enterprise business solution into the hands of Primary School pupils and staff.

For academies to think strategically about affordable, cost-effective systems and solutions, there needs to be a vision of thinking differently about the result. One of the main objectives of an academy from the business perspective is to centralise as many of the procurement processes as possible to reduce costs with bulk purchases. This is what the conventional approach thinks it is addressing. Taking the above into account, I would highly recommend that the following hybrid approach be seriously considered:

Admin Staff

This can still be Microsoft based, mainly because many other parties who need to be engaged with are also being conventional. This means that there’s only a small number of Windows machines that are required which significantly reduces the risks from cyber security issues.

All Teaching Staff

Seriously consider issuing teachers with a MacBook instead of a Windows Laptop. The longevity of a MacBook along with many other factors make this the most cost-effective laptop that can be bought. We have schools that have just replaced teacher Macbooks after 7 years, the old ones are being re-issued to teaching assistants.

Pupils

iPads & Chromebooks. The wide collection of free apps and online sites that are used anyway, why is there a need for pupils to have to be forced into using something they don’t have at home and may never need to use in the workplace in the dim and distant future.

Google Workspace for Education and MS365 A1 options are a great way to save on budget. Both systems together enable all schools to fit together perfectly and as part of a larger group of academy schools they are fully scalable.

There doesn’t have to be a fully centralised IT team with an Academy trust. It does make sense for the trusts to have an IT Director and in-house technical staff to work alongside other in-house or external partners at the member schools. There are some smaller trusts who do not have the capacity to take all the IT in-house. There needs to be a costing exercise to ascertain all the services and solutions that are provided by 3rd party support providers and as much as possible find the best pricing for certain trust wide solutions and allow the fairest provider the opportunity to provide this. The rest of the things that work well for individual schools should be left alone as they are often what makes each school unique.

My own personal mission is to be able to offer schools the lowest possible pricing on all solutions they already purchase. Many larger providers along with framework pricing, won’t offer the best possible deals and in many cases are taking advantage of schools who don’t know any different. Some trusts insist on only buying from frameworks! Why? Whilst this is seen as due diligence it is often not the best value for schools.

I hope my thoughts this month will make everyone think differently and please don’t be frightened to propose a different way of thinking. Also, please spare a thought for your IT partners who can still be a massive part of your ongoing journey.