Driving improvements in schools’ ICT services

1. Mark Wallbank Director, Procurement Strategy BectaSteve CreedHead of Technical Evaluation and Assurance Driving improvements in schools’ ICT services

2. Foundation for the future FACT Technology in education matters FACT It will only grow in importance Technology will move from supporting existing curricula to driving new ways of learning and developing skills for the future of UK business.

3. But is it really that simple? The simple presence of technology is not enough. Benefits will ONLY be realised where technology is deployed appropriately and used effectively. Implementing and managing technology isn’t easy, often not a core skill set within educational institutions and many require specialist help and support. This presentation will outline how Becta is seeking to support institutions in making the most of technology whilst effectively avoiding many of the pitfalls associated with poor deployment.

4. Food for thought… Typical average hourly rate for a teacher = £20 If 1 teacher per school spends 1 hour a day ‘fixing’ ICT = c£3.6k per year X 23,000 schools = £82.2 million ...not to mention the lost teaching opportunities!

5. Drivers for change Educational Technical • Improving outcomes • Safeguarding • Providing effective tools • Open standards • Open source • Cloud computing/software as service Efficiencies Environmental • Personal ownership • Customer expectations • Financial • Environmental sustainability Structural/Political Security • Digital identity • Privacy • Capital investment programs • 14 - 19

6. The challenges of deploying effective ICT Becta has identified a number of significant challenges faced in deploying effective ICT in educational institutions. These include: Growing complexity of ICT Protection of sensitive data Reliability of technology Secure internet environment Maintaining control System interoperability Getting value for money Out of hours access

7. What do I as Head expect and demand? • To raise standards at my school! • For technology to be flexible, adaptable and to enable creative use. • I want technology to empower my staff, enabling them to use it to impact positively upon all aspects of their work. • I want to use technology to communicate, share and work in partnership with my families at school and at home. • I want my data and information to be safe and secure, and for staff and learners to be safe online. • I don’t want to worry that the technology won’t work, is not compatible, will be unreliable or that I can’t afford it! Christine Terrey Head Teacher Grays School Newhaven, East Sussex

8. How is Becta helping? In order to determine the best way to provide support to educational institutions, Becta has undertaken extensive research and consultation to: Identify the key elements of the current and future technology provision needs of educational institutions. Identify the most appropriate delivery mechanisms to provide customers with flexibility and choice to support their ICT needs. 1 2

9. Network Technologies Connectivity Services Infrastructure Services Key elements of an effective learner-centric ICT system Technology that works first time, every time, for everyone, wherever and whenever they need it Supports a range of delivery mechanisms Fully integrated user facing service Effectively managed -FITS High service levels CORE SERVICES Approved/Accredited Specialist hardware/ software Curriculum content Data Services Learning Services Personal devices Appropriate service levels INNOVATION & LOCAL CUSTOMISATION Conform to standards

10. Underlying principles Represents the current and future technology provision needs of educational institutions. Identifies the components of an ICT solution for educational institutions and a need for it to be effectively managed. Supports a range of delivery models whether they are provided by non-commercial or commercial organisations, or a combination of both. Supports core services being located outside of the institution where appropriate to deliver improved efficiencies from new emerging ICT delivery models. Complements and supports existing provision such as institutional connectivity via the National Education Network and education sector services from JANET etc.

11. Underlying principles Core elements are well defined and expected to comply with defined standards and work to higher service levels. Core elements are dynamic and will evolve in line with technology advancements, supporting ongoing innovation. Innovation and local customisation: Allows individual institutions to use new and emerging technologies, or existing technologies in innovative ways to fit local need. Allows customised service level to be agreed on a case by case basis, determined at the local level. Compliance to standards required for the technology to work effectively with the core elements and provide a fully integrated ICT service.

12. Adoption of ICT services ICT Services Use of expert third parties who will deliver, manage and be accountable to the institution for providing a defined set of services to pre-defined service levels Becta has identified that many of the challenges highlighted would be effectively addressed through the adoption of ICT services.

13. Myths about ICT services FALSE Some misleading myths related to managed ICT services have developed over recent years. Private sector are focussed on making profit at expense of quality service I will lose flexibility and control It would constrain innovation and choice over what and how ICT is delivered Private sector will not understand and respond to school needs We would lose school technicians and local onsite support We would lose our freedom to react

14. Drivers for adopting a managed ICT service Those already successfully using an ICT managed service have identified the key drivers for adoption as: Growing in importance Lower more predictable costs Bringing in external expertise Scalability Focus on core competencies Improved service quality Speed of implementation

15. Benefits of adopting a managed ICT service Those already successfully using an ICT managed service have identified the key benefits realised as: Growing in agreement Learners having access to best resources Meeting the needs of more users Staff more confident in using ICT Greater efficiency Increased reliability of ICT Greater use of ICT by staff and learners Greater focus on learning Driving faster strategic change

16. Quotes from ICT services users I would definitely do the same again. But you need to go into it with your eyes wide open. (Headteacher, Whitecross High) The response to call-outs is very prompt, and a technician comes to the school for half a day every week to check everything is working well. (AST, ST Helens LA) Schools are very happy with the service they receive; one primary school even described it as “brilliant”. (Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council) You don't have that awful feeling when walking into a classroom and wondering if the ICT is going to work. (Staff member, Orpington College) Fast responses and supportive help-desk staff are valued highly by the schools. (Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council) I no longer worry about the network and whether it works. (AST, ST Helens LA) Its comforting to know you are not on your own. (Headteacher, Ben Johnson Primary)

17. What is Becta’s role? By shaping the key elements of ICT services into a new configuration for effective delivery to the education sector, Becta can help to: Ease the burden on institutional leaders. Make more efficient use of teacher time. Drive greater reliability of ICT systems with a clear focus to drive efficiencies: Operational Financial Environmental . 1 2 3

18. Current arrangements/realised efficiencies • Through its procurement mechanisms, Becta has been supporting educational institutions for a number of years. • Existing mechanisms widely used by education sector. • Mechanisms have resulted in cash savings to the front-line of £250m during 2002/3-2009. • Potential efficiencies by 2014 could amount to £270m - £380m per annum through reduced ICT services cost, workforce efficiency, and improved teacher productivity.

19. Why the change? Current arrangements expiring during 2010. Opportunity to look again and develop a flexible range of delivery mechanisms to support current and future customer needs identified through research and consultation.

20. Proposed new delivery mechanisms Number of potential delivery mechanisms considered to determine those that would provide optimal support in delivering the vision and meeting customer needs. Immediate strategic priority identified as the development of: Technical principles and functional specifications Procurement advice and contract terms National procurement frameworks Key feature will be the flexibility of new arrangements to meet different needs of multiple customer groups – arrangements available to all. 1 2 3

21. Anticipated benefits It is anticipated that adoption of the new arrangements will: Reduce customer cash costs of procurement and achieve value for money Reduce complexity and increase consistency for customers Facilitate integration and interoperability Help ensure adherence to technical specifications Approved education focussed suppliers Drive greater environmental efficiency

22. Emerging ICT delivery models • Fundamental changes in computing models. • Not all ICT services have to be “onsite”. • Benefits through remote provision of services using simple internet enabled devices (e.g. Webmail). Managed underlying hardware and reliable, scalable services Locating resources in purpose-designed facilities Expensive resources and expertise centralised One route to enabling parental access Managed testing, deployment and software updates Mobile access to staff and students Reduced environmental impact of ICT through scale of efficiencies Virtualisation/Aggregation of equipment

23. Living the vision • London Grid for Learning • Using Microsoft Live@edu services for up to one million students across London. • Schools using hosted service, including applications such as mobile, desktop and web-based e-mail — encourages students to collaborate, create online communities, and make learning and the sharing of information easier. • Estimates the average secondary school could save circ. £18,000 a year.

24. Living the vision • Cottenham Village College (nr Cambridge) – Secondary school • Installed Google Apps Education Edition - email and a range of other powerful online software tools. • Pupils, teachers and parents happy and impressed. • Most impressive gain is having an easy-to-use, mission-critical service that delivers the expectations students and teachers have of modern technology. • Deputy head and director of ICT Peter Marshall, - message to school leaders "I think they need to seriously take on board just how significant effectiveness and reliability are to running the things that you want to run in schools”. • Estimate a saving of possibly £20,000.

25. Living the vision • Warwickshire County Council • The ICT Development Service provides services to around 5000 devices in more than 250 schools. • Students used learning environments to do schoolwork and share documents from home but could only work on documents created in applications on their own computers. • Through the use of a central virtualisation hub students and teachers can use programmes they need on any computer with an internet connection. • Benefits include: anywhere anytime access, simplified environment, reduced support costs, reduced hardware costs, secured data.

26. Next steps • New arrangements expected to start to become available from Autumn 2010. • Further dialogue underway with customers and suppliers to determine final shape of new arrangements to ensure best possible fit. • Once final structure has been confirmed details will be made available through Becta’s website, brochures, regional customer/Becta representatives and relevant events. • Further details regarding the benefits of “Implementing managed services: Benefits and consideration” available from the link below: http://www.becta.org.uk/publications/managedservices

27. Something to leave you with Schools What support does your school require to take its ICT vision forward? Talk with your local authority to work together and consider collaborative opportunities. Local Authorities • Consider how best to act as the focal point to help drive changes within your schools to achieve an effective learner-centric ICT system. Industry • Think about how your organisation can work to support the vision. • Share your ideas with Becta and help to shape new arrangements.