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The Education Estates 2025 conference was a timely reminder of the pivotal role that construction plays in shaping the future of learning environments across the UK. For general contractors, the event offered more than just networking...
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Education Estates 2025: Talk School ICT with Novatia
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Leo has been our family dog for 13 years old but circumstances have demanded he find new ways to find his way around recently as a combination of...
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In an increasingly digital educational landscape, ensuring that technology serves its purpose effectively is more important than ever. For schools...
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I was on holiday in Ireland last week. The ‘wow’ moments as we drove along the Wild Atlantic Way in the South and West frequently demanded that we...
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It’s 18 months since the DfE introduced the expectation that schools should have a minimum two-year Digital strategy in place, resting on ‘a...
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The Department for Education (DfE) is set to release the full Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the CF25 Construction Framework on Thursday, 19th June.
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As an ICT director, securing robust digital infrastructure is critical for your school’s success. The Department for Education’s (DfE) Connect the...
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Schools today rely on technology more than ever - for teaching, learning, safeguarding, administration and beyond. But many don’t have the in-house...
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While students and staff may be heading off for well-earned holidays, the quieter months of summer present the perfect opportunity to turn a critical...
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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...
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Whether you favour a hands-on approach or prefer to absorb information through reading or listening to explanations, learning isn’t a...
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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...
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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....
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The SEND funding crisis is arguably the most pervasive issue affecting the UK education system in modern times. Recent Tes analysis of government...
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As Carly Fiorina (formerly CEO of Hewlett-Packard) once said, "The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight."...
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In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, schools, including Academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), face unique challenges when it comes to...
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Since its conception, Microsoft has always used its software to educate and inform, illustrated by this fascinating catalogue of discontinued...
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As the New Year kickstarted with the annual BETT conference (attended by some of our own consultants here at Novatia), world-class speakers explored...
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Novatia consultant Steve Warburton gives us the lowdown on BETT 2025...
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If you’re looking for some EdTech goodies to start your 2025 off successfully, you’ve come to the right place. From the latest developments in AI to...
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You may have heard of ‘green schools’ before - but what actually are they and why do they matter? The answer is simple: the education sector is not...
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In England, there are currently more than 1,200 multi-academy trusts, running more than 10,000 academies - with some trusts controlling over 40...
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In the modern era, the efficiency of schools is often shaped by their digital approach. Of course, this is often felt most strongly when things go...
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Regardless of where you are in the country, it’s rare to find a school that doesn’t rely on technology to support the learning process. From...
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Whether you’re expanding or refurbishing existing premises, or embarking on a new build project, school construction work can seem like an...
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A new term calls for new beginnings - and what better way to kick off the academic year than to evaluate your school’s e-learning approach? While...
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When it comes to delivering DfE projects, design managers have the unique privilege of straddling two worlds: education and construction. Their role?...
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Data security has become a growing concern in the education sector. Schools, colleges, and universities handle vast amounts of sensitive data, from...
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Over the course of delivering more than 200 ICT design and delivery projects for the Department for Education (DfE), we at Novatia have gained...
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As the digital world continues to develop at a rapid pace, educational institutions face an increasing number of cybersecurity threats. The education...
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As a MAT leader, the importance of robust technological infrastructure across all your schools cannot be overstated. Partnering with a reliable ICT...
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It’s happened twice in my educational career. The elections of 1997 and 2010 featured governments of long-standing being overturned (18 years of...
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In the classrooms of today, technology often takes centre stage - accompanied by new teaching practices and fundamental changes to the learning...
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5 min read
Although a classroom in the 2020s might still be recognisable to a child of the 1920s, the world of education is changing rapidly. Gone are the days...
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Cloud computing has become an essential tool for modern schools. From providing a platform to store and access learning resources to streamlining...
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Many factors help determine the success of a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) - and one of the most important aspects is data management. For MATs,...
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In today's digital age, technology plays a crucial role in education, and having reliable Wi-Fi access in schools has become more important than...
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When it comes to school construction projects, technological infrastructure is of paramount importance. From smart classrooms to data management...
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Following the recent advice issued by Ofsted that leaders must ensure the use of AI does “not have a detrimental effect” on their school’s outcomes,...
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With innovative tools and personalised learning approaches, EdTech offers various opportunities to support children with special needs and provide...
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One of the top streaming shows during the COVID lockdowns was Waterloo Road (cue incredulity!). The series had first begun airing in 2006 but was...
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As part of a now digitally-driven education sector, mobile devices are integral tools for facilitating learning, collaboration, and innovation in...
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While the shift to technology-reliance for managing student data has brought convenience and efficiency, it also raises concerns about student data...
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Integrating technology effectively within the physical learning space is always a complex challenge. From choosing the right tech and integrating it...
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Effective procurement of IT resources can be a highly important aspect of the successful operation and growth of multi-academy trusts. Potential...
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Environmental consciousness is no longer seen as a choice by many, but a necessity, and the education sector is playing a greater role than ever...
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The EdTech market has grown rapidly over recent years and shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, quite the opposite. Last year’s surge in generative...
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For Multi-Academy Trusts, managing data efficiently is no mean feat and the challenges involved are amplified as MATs expand. The UK has over 1000...
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With each passing year, the education sector continues to introduce new ideas and solutions to improve existing processes or act in response to...
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The DfE has kindly given school leaders something to read over the Christmas break and although it’s over 140 pages long, at least it’s not a repeat...
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A couple of weeks on the Project Management frontline has forced me to reflect on Project Managers I’ve worked closely with in the past… and I’ve...
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Data security is a major topic for educational institutions such as schools, academies and MATs. With the increasing use of technology in classrooms...
5 min read
In an age where digital access is as important to a child’s learning as access to a pencil, then it’s perhaps little wonder that there have emerged a...
1 min read
Novatia has been appointed to the Technology Products & Associated Services 2 framework - cementing our position as a trusted supplier to the...
4 min read
The Connect The Classroom programme, funded and administered by the DfE, has broken down the first barrier to facilitating modern EdTech solutions...
4 min read
Artificial intelligence is a topic that's dominating most industries and continues to generate questions and curiosity for people both professionally...
3 min read
Modern teachers are expected to deliver more varied and complex curriculums, provide students with additional care and support, and manage their work...
3 min read
Choosing the most suitable IT equipment and resources can be a headache for schools looking to upgrade their tech whilst minimising costs and...
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Across all age groups, teachers take on a role that can be incredibly rewarding but also highly demanding. There is pressure that stems from various...
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A well-designed school ICT strategy helps to ensure that technology is being used effectively to enhance the learning and teaching experience and...
3 min read
Digital platforms are increasingly being used to deliver learning resources to students across all levels of education. Whether it be 'emergency'...
3 min read
One of the key areas involved in academy management is data. For any organisation, in any sector, data underpins almost all aspects of their...
2 min read
The vast majority of schools that I’ve worked in had elements of their buildings built in the RAAC-era. It’s no surprise that buildings whose...
3 min read
Schools and MATs have a plethora of ICT systems and devices that are required to not only function together harmoniously, but also effectively meet...
5 min read
So we find ourselves near the beginning of another academic year; the summer holiday went quicker than the last and the school uniform aisle at Tesco...
4 min read
For UK schools and MATs, technology has become an integral part of life, allowing them to track attendance, monitor performance, communicate between...
3 min read
Access to reliable and high-speed internet has become crucial for educational institutions that want to fully embrace the benefits of technology for...
2 min read
It’s 1993, school lunchtime and four future Headteachers were engaged with in-depth consideration of a major IT problem we were all facing… how to...
2 min read
‘There’s an app for that’ was an advertising campaign which supported the roll-out of the iPhone 3 in 2009. More importantly, a classic Sesame Street...
3 min read
Management Information Systems (MIS) are a hot topic right now. Last year, we had ESS SIMS changing their contracts from annual to three years and...
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New Year, New Resolution...“I’m going to make sure thatthisyear’s ICT Change project goes well”, but how? You might have made that resolution before...
1 min read
We are pleased to announce that we have welcomed Jon Jones to Novatia as of 3rd January 2023. Jon is taking up the role of Technical Consultant and...
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Here is blog two in our series around the DfE report on Implementation of education technology in schools. The first blog, ‘The value of internal...
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Exploring how new Education Technology (EdTech) is successfully implemented and embedded in schools and colleges.
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We are all experiencing significant increases in costs in our daily lives, and Multi Academy Trusts and their schools are no exception. Inflation is...
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We are pleased to announce that we are welcoming Steve Warburton back to the Novatia team on 26th September. Steve is taking up the role of Senior...
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BT are retiring their ISDN services, don’t be left short. Now is the time to consider the alternatives for your MAT.
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As advisors to UK Education, we’ve strategically steered hundreds of school leaders over the years to be clear on what ICT they need and achieve...
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MATs are achieving maximum benefits from running their procurement process effectively.
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The Department for Education’s (DfE)new £7bn Construction Framework haspaved the way for the 26 selected contractors to start work on the...
3 min read
Many Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and schools have been using data more and more over the past few years and this has helped with key strategic...
3 min read
You are the contractor for a new school build and naturally you want it to be well planned, go smoothly and be ready for handover, on time and on...
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Knowing and understanding what ICT services you need to procure for your MAT isn’t always an easy process; it can be time consuming and require...
3 min read
With pressures on the UK to meet its climate change targets, the government launched Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) so all ‘large’ UK...
3 min read
Is your organisation set up to run an effective ICT Procurement process? You’ve identified a need for new technology or that rationalising the...
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ICT in schools nowadays is vital. There are many things, both pastoral and academic teaching, that would not be able to be done without ICT to...
3 min read
The current pandemic has meant that most MATs and schools have had to very quickly implement ICT Projects. We’ve been discussing with some of our...
3 min read
Despite all the uncertainty facing schools right now, we must try to remain positive and keep an eye on the future and our plans beyond COVID-19.
3 min read
As advisors to UK Education, we have assisted hundreds of school leaders over the years to achieve efficiencies, as well as best value for money, by...
3 min read
As discussed in a previous blog post, the Covid-19 pandemic meant that many MATs and schools had to implement ICT fixes at speed. Those who had a...
2 min read
You’ve carried out a strategic ICT Audit and Review. It’s identified a need for new technology, or you’ve discovered how rationalising the...
3 min read
The current pandemic meant that most MATs and schools had to very quickly implement ICT Projects. We’ve been discussing with some of our clients,...
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The last few months have been testing for many MAT and School ICT Directors. They’ve had to implement ICT initiatives at a moment’s notice without...
4 min read
Multi Academy Trust (MAT) leaders should be able to easily and quickly pull together and analyse key data across their Trust and Schools. Here we...
2 min read
No matter what your role and involvement is in a new school build, you want to know that the build is well planned, goes smoothly and is ready for...
3 min read
COVID-19 is causing disruption. More and more people are being advised to work from home where possible and you may be wondering how you can make it...
3 min read
Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and schools have a plethora of data, so why aren’t they all able to use it effectively? And how can they turn this around?
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The subject of ICT Budgets comes up frequently with our clients. Setting the ICT spend never seems to be straight-forward. Costly mistakes can be...
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Planning and managing School ICT budgets can be particularly challenging. Technology is advancing at a lightening pace and is a major part of every...
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You've had your ICT Audit and Review, you've created your ICT Strategic Plan - now you need to implement it across your multi-academy trust (MAT)....
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The Department for Education (DfE) has kicked off its publication of 2019 performance tables this autumn (17 October 2019) with provisional...
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We meet many school and MAT leaders who want to improve their ICT, make it more effective, and ensure it really does help them achieve their...
1 min read
Results Day is an important time, for students and schools alike. On one hand, students will be anxious to learn if they have obtained the grades...
1 min read
If you’re constructing a new educational building with a robust ICT infrastructure, you will most probably require the support of an experienced ICT...
3 min read
Moving from separate ICT systems, infrastructure and suppliers to a Trust-wide approach, and procuring on that basis, can be daunting.
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One year on from the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has begun to...
1 min read
Most multi-academy trusts (MATs) and academies are busy collecting, saving and crunching enormous amounts of data. But all too often this data is...
1 min read
Information & Communications Technology (ICT) will never replace a good teacher. However, used correctly, it can radically transform our schools....
1 min read
All too often we see Schools & Trusts acquiring their ICT piecemeal, with no real thought about any forward planning. As industry experts, we know...
1 min read
Want to maximise your school tech budget but don’t know where to start?
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Our clients have no time to spare. They want to spend their time analysing and using their school data to improve student outcomes; not waste hours,...
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In this time of shrinking school budgets, leaders are looking at where they can make cost savings without compromising education standards. ICT is an...
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With over 15 years' experience helping UK trusts and schools to plan their ICT, we interviewed our Managing Director and Senior Consultant, Richard...
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The New Year is upon us. Senior leaders at schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) are already looking ahead, setting their budgets for the next...
2 min read
Let’s face it. The Chancellor's budget-pledge offering schools a capital "bonus" to buy what he called "little extras" has left the Education sector...
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2 min read
Immersive learning has always been important – and more and more technology is able to support this by engaging learners in a new interactive,...
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3 min read
Technology can be an incredible enabler. Pupils want to be able to access the curriculum easily and quickly. They want to create and produce their...
2 min read
Another school year is upon us. Once more, the use of information and communications technology (ICT) is high up there on the agenda. The message is...
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Jan Harrison is a Novatia Consultant, with a background in teaching. She has recently been focusing on data and how to make it easier for schools to...
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2 min read
We all know that they do happen and we all hope it won’t happen to us, but cyber threats are real. It is also a fact that schools are being targeted.
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2 min read
As ICT advisors to UK Education, we have assisted hundreds of school leaders over the years to achieve efficiencies, as well as best value for money,...
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3 min read
‘Great leadership’ and ‘coherence of vision’ are vital if you want to run an effective and sustainable multi-academy trust (MAT). These are the key...
1 min read
You’d be surprised just how many schools and academies have cupboards full of technology, left neglected or underused, gathering dust. Unfortunately,...
1 min read
All the data that you collect and hold should be helping you to improve the educational experience and outcomes of your pupils. However, as we all...
1 min read
The governance of your school data needs to be in order in just over three months.
1 min read
Tick tock, tick tock … the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is creeping nearer. As politicians continue to thrash out the UK’s future...
1 min read
We hope you can join Novatia from 24-27 January 2018 at ExCel London for Bett 2018 – Europe’s leading showcase for technology in Education.
1 min read
Planning a clear and decisive ICT vision can bring rich rewards for Schools and MATs. Not just in cost savings but in significantly improving student...
1 min read
Do you have a clear vision for your School or Trust’s ICT but don’t seem to be able to turn it into a reality? Need help to drive your ideas forward?
1 min read
Got a tricky ICT issue? Come pick our brains on Stand D22 ...
2 min read
The Experts: Alex Dittel, a data privacy and commercial lawyer at Bristows LLP, London. Andrew Williams, Consultant at South West Grid for Learning...
1 min read
There’s no doubt, as an Education leader, ICT causes you one of the biggest headaches. But have you ever thought about your role and how you can...
1 min read
In our role as ICT advisors to the UK Education market, we have worked with hundreds of trusts, schools and academies. One thing we can say with...
1 min read
Cyber threats come in many different forms. At the moment, ‘ransomware’ attacks have been getting a lot of press coverage; some of us might even have...
1 min read
The GDPR. We all know it’s coming Our conversations with Trusts and Schools reveal one disturbing thing: school leaders are not being offered the...
2 min read
Schools and GDPR – have you taken the first crucial step? If you haven’t done so already, now is definitely the time to carry out a data audit. Any...
2 min read
Choosing an ICT partner for your school or trust? Then read this first. We work with many leaders in schools and trusts who have a clear vision for...
2 min read
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is coming. We all need to know about it and make sure we’re compliant with it. This is the first in a...
1 min read
We know the August results are etched in your mind. All schools will want to share the great news of your success and take an in depth look at the...
1 min read
Follow our seven point checklist to make sure you choose the right ICT partner … In today’s evolving digital world, how do you ensure that a new...
1 min read
We’ve worked with a lot of schools over many years and can see clearly when MATs are heading to a point where their data is getting out of control....
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Many schools and MATs have been getting by, devising ICT plans and approaches as they go along, adding different elements as they are needed. Often,...
1 min read
Data. In theory, all the data that you collect and hold should be helping you to improve the educational experience and outcomes of your pupils....
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1 min read
As we all know, a massive cyber-attack has disrupted services across the world. Over 72 hours since the first attack became public, we should have...
1 min read
Novatia has been shortlisted for a Bett 2017 industry award for Questa, the company’s new premier analytics service for multi-academy trusts (MATs)...
1 min read
TES highlighted once more this week (14 June 2016) the mounting concern amongst School and Trust leaders surrounding teacher shortages, especially in...
2 min read
What a week this has been for the Education sector! Firstly George Osborne identifies Education as a key area of priority in his 2016 Budget,...
2 min read
ICT may not be the first thing on your mind when you set about creating a multi-academy trust (MAT). Understandably, other things may seem more...
2 min read
Government policy has placed the improvement and growth of the schooling system in England into the hands of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) – others...
Schools can collect an inordinate amount of data about their students (and staff). But is this data being used to improve learning outcomes or just...
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