It’s an age-old dilemma for headteachers and bursars. School budgets are shrinking and technology requirements are increasing. Education has moved on from the days of one computer to a classroom (if you were lucky) and ensuring that your team has enough whiteboard markers to last the academic year.
Creating a robust and considered school IT strategy, that considers the need for futureproofing technology and focusses on appropriate and upgradable systems is the first step in ensuring that your school continues to provide the IT education that your students need for their future workplaces. NCS Technology has a wealth of experience in helping schools to make the most of their budgets whilst providing the best possible IT provision. We also provide outsourced IT services, which you can read more about in our blog.
It’s important to consider what your school wants to achieve. Do you want improved AV solutions? Maybe touchscreens in every classroom? It could be that you want to make sure that your systems are secure and up to date, particularly with the end of Windows 7 just around the corner. Designing an IT strategy can be beneficial for two reasons. The first is that you can begin to plan where you want your school to be in five years’ time and work towards achieving it. The second is that implementing staff training and creating a proactive strategy stops the usual reactive tech updates that many schools experience. Planning ahead allows you to budget for expected changes.
You also need to think about how you will achieve your IT goals in the long term. Choosing a dedicated IT partner can definitely help, enabling you to work through installation and training plans, whilst also advising on how your school can meet OFSTED measures and future IT curriculum requirements. A trusted IT partner can also be there during the introduction of any new tech, troubleshooting and assisting in a smooth transition.
NCS Technology have the purchasing power and IT partnerships to be able to confidently advise on what you can realistically achieve with your budget and where spending would have the most impact. Our wide range of partners means that we can also provide a variety of quality options that will stand the tests of time. If you’ve realised that your school’s IT needs an overhaul, get in touch so we can have a chat.