2023 - Summer Holidays

Welcome to the IT Services 2023 Start of Term Update.  It has been a busy Summer as usual and we have lots of exciting changes that should have a positive impact on the School. 

Technology Strategy 2023-2026

At the very start of Summer we finalised our new Technology Strategy.  The ICT Steering Group have  worked closely with external consultants in both Senior and Junior School to help document our ambitions and goals for the next 3 years.  The strategy mostly confirms our current plans whilst giving us greater focus on the areas that we wish to improve in the coming years.  Some highlights include:

  • Continued expansion of our staff 1:1 device strategy for teaching staff and support staff
  • The introduction of Pupil 1:1 devices from September 2024 onwards
  • A renewed focus on cyber security, Learning Technologies and Governance & Operations.
  • A sustainable approach to keeping our infrastructure up to date and meeting the needs of the School
  • Focusing on our Information and data systems to make sure they are fit for purpose and supporting the needs of the School
  • Greater support for Junior School and their ambitions to modernise their use of ICT.

We aim to share a glossy parent friendly version of this strategy with all staff and parents during the Autumn term.

IT Services, the new name for Network Services

As part of our new 3 year IT Strategy for the School we have rebranded the team as "IT Services".  This better reflects the work that we do not just in networking but end user support, mobile devices, software, cyber security, data management and more.  If you have any documentation that references the old name please update it.  We also have new email addresses that you can use to contact the team:

The old email addresses will still work if you forget!

Windows 11

We are now fully supporting Windows 11 for all staff.  Those with new devices will already be on windows 11 and we will be inviting the rest of staff to opt in to Windows 11 when they are ready.  The key benefits are improved security with the use of disk encryption as well as better management and software delivery.

We have also taken the opportunity to update and modernise a lot of other systems behind the scenes that will pave the way for us to manage the huge number of pupil devices we aim to support from September 2024

New Digital Signage - eStream

We have deployed a new digital signage solution called Planet eStream, this web based service provides a lot more flexibility and supports many more screens.  You can schedule powerpoints for different times of day or days of the week as well as allowing more options in the future such as displaying notices from iSAMS or even calendar events.

As well as a new system we have installed the following new screens accross the School:

  • Sixth Form Reception - for parent and pupil notices
  • Two large Screens in the Dinining room to show the menu's throughout the day
  • Three smaller screens in the dining room to display up to date allergy information for each sitting

For more information on how to use the new system click here and please do ask if you need help.

Junior School Computer Room

The Junior School computer room has been moved to a new location in G2.  This larger room has had a full renovation with big help from the Estates team.  It has new flooring, air conditioning, new desks and a new ceiling.  The larger room is much better suited to the number of computers and will provide a big boost for how ICT is delivered as well as used in other subjects.

Junior School Teacher Devices and Classroom Docking

All Junior School teachers have been issued a Surface pro and we have converted every classroom over to docking stations.  This follows the same successful model used in Senior School and opens up many new and exciting possibilities for the teachers and pupils.  

Admin Staff 1:1 Devices Rollout

As with Junior School and Senior School teachers we have now converted the bulk of admin staff over to a 1:1 device model.  This involved purchasing 30 new high powered laptops and converting almost every desk in Northcote house over to a docking station.  Admin staff can now seemlessly work anywhere they need to as well as hot desking or having laptops for meetings or use in classrooms when needed.  These new laptops also enable better support for working from home or away from School as well as saving us money in the long run by removing over 50 computers this Summer alone. The old computers and monitors will all be sold to a refurbishment company.

Drama Room AV Upgrades and Projector

The drama space has had a brand new AV system installed along with a large projector and screen the same size as the PMH.  This will allow the space to be used for assemblies or large gatherings and gives us more flexibility to use it in the future. 

Other Changes

  • School House Room 8 has been converted back into a classroom, many thanks to Estates again for the decorating.
  • A new office in JS as well as extra desks in the SEND Room
  • JS offices have all been converted into docking stations
  • Pupil wrist bands to replace fobs - We are removing fobs for most pupils in place of wrist bands that should be easier for the pupils to not lose
  • 13 new mobile phones to replace old ones 
  • Migrated our mobile phone management system to Microsoft Intune.  This allows greater control over the devices as well as a better setup experience for users.

Useful Guides