Novatia's ultimate guide to forming a robust digital strategy

With new UK digital strategy plans announced for education, now is the time to ensure your school is ready to accommodate future changes.

The DfE is consulting on a strategy for all schools to meet a set of core digital standards by 2030, so it’s important your school is on track to achieve this.

The core standards outlined in the consultation are:

  • ...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 29 April 2025

Read More

One size doesn’t fit all: how EdTech can enable personalised learning

Whether you favour a hands-on approach or prefer to absorb information through reading or listening to explanations, learning isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Each of us absorbs and processes information in unique ways.

Through AI-enabled technology that caters to students’ individual abilities and chosen learning methodology, children are increasingly...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 17 April 2025

Read More

Tackling attendance issues: the power of data-driven insights

Absenteeism is among the greatest challenges facing modern schools in the UK.

But in no way is this a 'new' problem. Steve Warburton, one of our consultants, was Headteacher of a school in an 'Excellence in Cities' cluster in 2004 where attendance was a key focus.

The latest figures from the Department for Education suggest school absence is at a record...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 31 March 2025

Read More

Here's how EdTech can support mental health in schools

For children, school is more than just a place for academic growth; it’s an environment that can shape their mental wellbeing for years to come.

Recent statistics highlight a growing mental health crisis within the UK education sector:

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 25 March 2025

Read More

5 ways tech can help solve the SEND crisis in UK schools

The SEND funding crisis is arguably the most pervasive issue affecting the UK education system in modern times. 

Recent Tes analysis of government data found 1,673,205 pupils in English schools have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - almost a fifth of the school population, and a 31.2 per cent increase since 2016. Additionally, the number...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 18 March 2025

Read More

10 data-driven insights every multi-academy trust should know

As Carly Fiorina (formerly CEO of Hewlett-Packard) once said, "The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight." 

Decision-making plays a crucial role in shaping school performance and MAT growth, and this can’t be done without knowing all the important information first.

On a micro level, leveraging the power of data allows...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 28 February 2025

Read More

How Schools & MATs can Future-Proof their IT and Digital Strategy

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, schools, including Academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining and advancing their ICT infrastructure. As headteachers and members of school senior leadership teams, you are tasked with not only addressing current needs but also planning for future...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 24 February 2025

Read More

A deep dive into Microsoft Education's 2025 tools

Since its conception, Microsoft has always used its software to educate and inform, illustrated by this fascinating catalogue of discontinued Microsoft Education software circa 1990s.

But what does that look like for users of today?

As announced at BETT last month, Microsoft Education has a tonne of exciting updates available this year, from AI-enabled...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 24 February 2025

Read More

From AI to cybersecurity: a year of EdTech unpacked

As the New Year kickstarted with the annual BETT conference (attended by some of our own consultants here at Novatia), world-class speakers explored the topics that have been shaping the past year of EdTech and beyond.

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 31 January 2025

Read More

Steve's Scribblings - BETT remains an eclectic event…although I didn’t expect to see Hello Fresh exhibiting!

Novatia consultant Steve Warburton gives us the lowdown on BETT 2025...

Posted by Richard Sambrook Smith - 28 January 2025

Read More

Subscribe to Our Blog