According to the most recent National School Trust Report, two-thirds (66%) of trust CEOs expect the number of schools in their trust to increase over the next year. At the same time, growth is frequently mentioned as a challenging priority. Over half of trusts’ operational priorities include focusing on technology, data, and IT infrastructure.
A growing trust must consider what to change in its newly added schools to have the most impact. While doing so, it cannot put implementing its trust-level digital strategy on hold.
Brooke Weston Trust's (BWT) experience during the academic year 2023-24 shows what a trust can achieve quickly. Initially a ten-school trust, BWT added a primary school while also preparing to open a new secondary school. While integrating the new school into its technology structures, business as usual for the trust’s other schools meant making improvements elsewhere to achieve its broader objectives.
Onboarding a new school
In September 2023, Thrapston Primary School joined the trust and its IT support migrated to a newly created regional hub managed by RM engineer Davinder Khatar.
By having a handover period between RM and the previous support provider, we de-risked the process for the school and the trust. This approach effectively managed the September peak while RM worked to learn about the school and understand the site.
The onboarding period set the foundation for several positive developments at the school during the year.
New MIS implementation:
In December 2023, Thrapston Primary School switched from SIMS to Pupil Asset, the trust’s standard MIS for its primary schools. RM safely removed the on-site SIMS server from the school network and integrated all the third-party apps with the new cloud-based MIS, so they worked correctly.
Adding the school to the M365 central tenancy:
Using the experience gained from working with RM to add ten other trust schools to the M365 central tenancy, Thrapston Primary School joined the trust’s central tenancy over the summer of 2024.
Wireless and wired network upgrade:
The school's wired and wireless network infrastructure is being renewed following a successful application to the Connect the Classroom scheme for DfE funding. The much-needed improvements were completed over summer 2024, with the new network ready to use in September 2024.
Broadband, filtering and e-safety monitoring:
Thrapston Primary School now uses the trust’s standard approach to online content filtering and activity monitoring. RM worked with the trust’s broadband and monitoring providers to ensure an effective transition.
"Over the last couple of academic years, we have implemented many technology improvements in partnership with RM, whether that be our infrastructure, moving to M365 single tenancy – linking all our schools even more closely to facilitate even greater collaboration - or developing our managed service to ensure day to day issues in technology are resolved more quickly. There is always more to do but we can confidently continue to develop and continuously improve use of technology for both students and staff, knowing that we have the foundations in place."
Michelle Wenham, Chief Operations and Resources Officer, Brooke Weston Trust
Technology improvements across the trust
Cyber security:
Following the recent audit, RM and the trust have worked closely on a cyber plan based on the DfE’s cyber security standards. The trust has tightened up its cyber security by completing projects related to Remote Desktop Services and firewall provision, and by standardising and securing all the schools’ email domains.
SIMS Connected MIS implementation:
The trust’s IT strategy is to move certain school services to the cloud to reduce reliance on onsite servers, including those that operate SIMS. In October 2023, Thomas Clarkson Academy began moving its MIS from school server-based SIMS to SIMS Connected, where the SIMS owners (ESS) host it on their servers.
The initial project proved challenging, but the lessons learned were applied to make the process easier for the trust’s other secondary schools. Three have been completed, and the final implementation for Brooke Weston Academy is due to finish during the autumn term of 2024.
Network upgrades with Connect the Classroom:
The DfE’s Connect the Classroom scheme provided funding for four trust schools to refresh their network infrastructure. In October 2023, Thomas Clarkson Academy began a complex network update project. RM helped make the successful funding application and worked alongside the PFI provider to install new infrastructure. The result is much-improved coverage across the school and simplified network support.
Working with RM, the trust also secured retrospective funding of more than £80,000 for the upgrades at Peckover Primary School and Corby Business Academy.
Server upgrades and removals:
Maintaining up-to-date operating systems on any hardware is vital to combatting cyber attacks and preserving reliability. During 2023/24, RM removed or upgraded any server still running Microsoft’s Windows 2012 server operating system at three of the trust’s secondary schools.
Upgrading network connections at Brooke Weston Academy:
Installing 10gbps fibre connections at Brooke Weston Academy was completed over the summer of 2024. The whole campus now benefits from super-fast network connections.
Adding final school to M365 central tenancy:
Thomas Clarkson Academy was the final school in the trust (at the time) to join the Microsoft 365 central tenancy arrangement in August/September 2023. With all the trust’s schools onboarded, there is a well-drilled process for adding new schools to the tenancy.
Canon UNIFlow implementation:
The trust chose a new common printing platform to manage printing for all BWT schools. Canon UNIFlow is entirely cloud-based, reducing the reliance on on-site servers and addressing a vital plank of the trust's IT strategy. RM started working to implement the new platform during the summer term of 2024 by removing the legacy print arrangements and associated servers. Every school has installed the new platform, except Thrapston, which will be completed early in the 2024/25 academic year.
New devices in classrooms and beyond:
Pupils at Beanfield and Thrapston primary schools have benefited from new iPads for their classrooms, and all trust catering leads now have iPads to help with their work. All new iPads are added to the central mobile device management system to ensure they remain secure and up to date.
With RM’s help, the trust has introduced a pool of staff laptops in each school. If a colleague’s device develops a fault, this arrangement means that a temporary replacement is quickly available. It also means that when new staff arrive, they have a suitable device from day one.
Kettering Science Academy, Corby Business Academy, Corby Technical School, and Northamptonshire Teaching Hub have all benefitted from laptops and charging trolleys, among other minor improvements.
Building for a growing trust:
The Wisbech Academy welcomed its first pupils in September 2024. The first phase of work began over the summer to prepare, with the arrival of pupils being the second phase. The first intake of pupils will occupy modular buildings equipped with the necessary technology and share facilities with Thomas Clarkson Academy.
As the school develops and the building progresses, the trust will work with RM to embed all the technology infrastructure a brand-new school needs. It’s an exciting project for everyone involved.
It was a busy year, with much achieved. Technology is one of the critical factors that binds an organisation together. More will come in academic year 2024-25, as confirmed by the trust’s Chief Operations and Resources Officer, Michelle Wenham.
"The next iteration of our digital (and data) strategy will continue our partnership with RM as we move to the ‘cloud’, roll out new hardware, develop digital capabilities building on the achievement of our two current Microsoft showcase schools, review our broadband provision and implement our new integrated people, payroll and finance systems."
Michelle Wenham, Chief Operations and Resources Officer, Brooke Weston Trust
As schools and trusts continue to build their capacity and resilience to improve educational outcomes, the technology that underpins those objectives is increasingly important. A clear digital strategy, with the right partners to deliver it, helps remove obstacles to the benefit of pupils and staff.
Contact us today to learn more about how RM can help your school or trust develop and execute the right digital strategy