The Constellation Trust is a ten-school
multi-academy trust based in Hull.
RM has been its managed service IT partner since 2017.
Project
Replacing classroom-based PCs for teachers with individual laptops and docking stations.
Objectives:
- Improve flexibility and productivity for teachers across the trust
- Reduce overall device estate
- Provide Windows 11 devices
Classrooms in the trust have historically contained a desktop PC for teachers to use. This setup limited teachers’ ability to use technology to plan lessons, collaborate and access school systems in the way that suited them best. The trust decided to replace the classroom PCs with a docking station in each classroom and a laptop for every teacher.
Solution
In his weekly meeting with trust stakeholders, RM Account Manager Jon Allen presented a hardware lifecycle report showing the age, expected lifespan, and Windows 11 readiness of the trust’s existing devices. Working with the trust’s IT and finance teams, RM developed a plan for procuring new devices and delivering them to the individual schools.
The trust invested in 444 HP Windows 11 laptops to be delivered during the 2025 summer holiday period. At the same time, the old PCs were removed and securely disposed of and the docking stations installed. All the laptops were set up using Microsoft Intune before dispatch, so they arrived at the schools ready to go. The trust’s RM engineers carried out all the work in time for the new academic year.
Working with RM, the trust used the HP Brighter Futures scheme to maximise its budget. By trading in its old devices under the scheme, the trust received over £49,000 in cash back.
“Thank you for all of the work you have done so far to get our schools up and running with phase one of our Windows 11 rollout and the move to laptops and docking stations in our classrooms. The change has been enormous for the staff but the vast majority are loving the new set up.”
Rachael Field,
Head of Digital Solutions & Media,
The Constellation Trust
Outcomes
With each teacher having their own portable device, they no longer need to log in to an individual PC in every classroom they teach in. Nor do they have to use personal devices or paper-based methods for planning, assessment or CPD. Critical tasks such as recording safeguarding concerns can be done immediately rather than when next in front of a suitable device.
The trust could also rationalise its overall device estate by removing old hardware trolleys and outdated IT suites.
“Keep up the good work - we really are making an enormous difference to our IT systems but also, perhaps even more importantly, a huge positive difference to our classrooms and the students’ and staff experiences within them.”
Rachael Field,
Head of Digital Solutions & Media,
The Constellation Trust
Download a PDF of the case study.
To find out more about how RM can help your trust develop and execute a technology strategy to support your objectives, get in touch – rm.com/contact.