Size: 1300 students
Type of Partnership: Managed ICT Service for all curriculum and administrative provision and service and leasing agreement for the equipment.
Risk Control mechanism: Service Level Agreement
Transfer of staff: No
Key Benefits
Outsourcing ICT provision provided the following benefits:
- Reliable equipment—up to date equipment which works
- Predictable costs—the school now knows how much the service will cost year on year
- Greater opportunities for learners—higher volumes of equipment providing reliable access for students
- Motivated staff and students—an increase in motivation: both for teaching staff and students.
- Greater efficiency for staff—the school now has a computer in every classroom enabling the staff to do all their reports on line as well as monitor students.
Background to the school and its ICT provision
Ysgol Friars is a co-educational comprehensive school with over 1300 pupils aged between 11 and 18. Prior to the partnership with Gaia, the school was running equipment which was seven to eight years old, unreliable and causing huge problems with confidence for staff and students. At the time there were about 140 computers and two aging servers, with little money to spend on new equipment.
Reasons for Considering a Managed ICT Service
Due to continual reliability issues, Ysgol Friars recognised an urgent requirement to update or replace most of their aging IT equipment. It was determined that equipment would need to be leased to allow a step change—and the option of a Managed ICT Service was considered a logical extension of this. The existing support contracts were very limited in scope and not meeting the needs of the school. Underpinning all this was recognition that pupils were not receiving the IT exposure and training they were entitled to. Solutions and options were researched by the school’s ICT team, and the governors approved a proposal from the school’s management team to lease both equipment and services.
Looking for a Partner
Building on the requirements defined by the ICT staff, a tender document was compiled. The school sought a company that could supply all elements of a managed ICT service, including staff training and supply of new equipment. The partner also needed to be flexible enough to support and upgrade existing equipment wherever practical.
Overcoming Issues
There was some uncertainty over the implications of adopting a managed ICT service and the school set aside time during the procurement stage to understand what the service would “feel” like on a day to day basis. Of paramount importance to the school was the need to be able to develop a solid and well rooted relationship with a chosen supplier.
It was important to keep the existing network running whilst implementing, in parallel, a new technical infrastructure and integrating existing equipment. This was done by working closely with Gaia’s managers so they fully understood the school’s requirements. This phased introduction was implemented as a partnership between Gaia and the school—mainly during the summer holidays—with engineering time focused on re-imaging existing systems and doing routing maintenance.
New processes were integrated including compliance with the Framework for ICT Technical Support (FITS)
All issues are now raised in the form of tickets on an established Support desk which can keep track of repairs and work requested and undertaken around the school. All staff are kept informed about processes and timescales of work carried out. All staff have access to information regarding the progress of work.
Proactive monitoring of the network by Gaia is part of the managed ICT service. Monitoring systems alert Gaia’s support staff to potential network problems, enabling them to take corrective action. The school also receives two weekly visits from a support technician during which he inspects the network and attends to any issues. Gaia installs any new equipment and software and provides training on its use—reducing the risk for the school of introducing new technologies and software.
Benefits
The need to buy in the managed ICT service arose initially from equipment being old and unreliable. The most immediate tangible benefit was an improvement in the reliability of the equipment.
Existing computers that met the agreed minimum level (about 120 in all) were upgraded. Those not meeting the specification were disposed of. Students now have a greater choice in how they learn, and the school can offer them a greater choice in what they learn—relying on a reliable network and increased number of computers. This has translated into more motivation in learning.
Staff now have better access to ICT with a computer in every classroom, and so are able to do reports online, use accessible email, and monitor their students’ work and progress.
This increase in use and confidence is in turn leading to increased demand for ICT from staff and students. IT is anticipated that the financial aspect of the managed ICT service model will provide an affordable and sustainable means of meeting this demand.
According to the head teacher Mr Neil Foden: “ The Gaia Managed ICT Service arrangement provides us with new, modern machines coupled with on-site support. We have shifted our attention from maintaining machines to how to maximise use of ICT in learning contexts”
Looking Forward
The school now has a strong baseline ICT facility with reliable equipment and a consistent look and feel. The school can now look at introducing new technology. The learning platform is operational and the school is keen to increase its use in order for the pupils to have out of hours access to learning materials. Increased use of ICT facilities has put more pressure on existing rooms/suites and consequently additional laptop suites have been added. The need for more space for extra ICT equipment has led to more use of wireless, personal digital assistants and laptops around the school.
Gaia’s Managed ICT Service has helped us to free up staff from being concerned with maintenance issues, and to re-focus attention towards using IT to improve efficiency, sharing of data, and the better delivery of course materials to pupils.
The solution delivers clear educational and management outcomes, excellent value for money, and comprehensive support in mission - critical activities”
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