Maximise Your ICT Budget: Summer Projects and Strategic Partnerships for Schools

For schools and multi-academy trusts, the summer break is one of the best opportunities to complete ICT projects with minimal disruption. It is also a key point in the year to review priorities, make careful use of remaining budget and prepare systems for September.

But with limited time, stretched teams and competing demands, it is important to focus on the projects that will deliver the greatest value.

Whether you are planning summer ICT projects, reviewing your school IT budget, preparing an ICT procurement exercise or considering wider MAT ICT planning, the right support can help you make informed, cost-effective decisions.

Focus on the projects that matter most

Not every ICT project can or should happen at once. Before committing budget, schools should take a clear view of what will have the biggest impact on teaching, learning, security and day-to-day operations.

Common summer priorities include:

• Network and Wi-Fi improvements
• Device refreshes and school tech upgrades
• Cyber security reviews
• Microsoft 365 education and cloud projects
• Infrastructure assessments
• Broadband, telephony or MIS changes
• ICT audits and digital strategy reviews
• Standardisation across a multi-academy trust

The key is to prioritise work that reduces risk, improves reliability or supports your longer-term school digital strategy.

Make better use of your school IT budget

Budget pressure means every ICT investment needs to work harder. A cost-effective ICT plan should start with three simple questions:

• What is causing the greatest operational risk or disruption?
• Which projects will best support staff, pupils and school improvement priorities?
• Where can we reduce duplication, consolidate services or improve value?

For individual schools, this may mean addressing ageing infrastructure before it fails. For MATs, it may involve aligning systems, reviewing supplier contracts or planning a more consistent ICT support model across academies.

Novatia’s ICT solutions, including ICT consultancy, ICT audit and digital strategy services, help schools and MATs identify what is working, what needs attention and where investment will deliver the most value. Our advice is based on over 20 years of experience supporting UK education, helping leaders make confident decisions about ICT planning, procurement and delivery.

Strengthen your ICT procurement

Good ICT procurement is not just about finding the lowest price. It is about making sure the solution is fit for purpose, affordable over its lifetime and aligned with your school or trust strategy.

Before going to market, schools should be clear on:

• The educational and operational need
• Existing infrastructure and technical dependencies
• Budget and whole-life costs
• Service levels and support expectations
• Future scalability
• Compliance and procurement requirements

For MAT ICT planning, procurement can also support better consistency and economies of scale. However, this needs careful planning to make sure trust-wide solutions still work for individual schools.

Novatia supports schools and MATs with ICT procurement. We help define requirements, review options, challenge supplier proposals and secure better value from ICT investment.

Use partner offers and frameworks wisely

Frameworks and partner offers can be a useful route to cost-effective ICT, particularly where schools need compliant purchasing options and access to trusted suppliers.

However, a framework should not replace careful planning. The starting point should always be your school’s needs, not the supplier’s offer. Before committing to any product or service, check whether it fits your current environment, future plans and budget.

Novatia works with schools and MATs through relevant education and public sector frameworks, including Government Commercial Agency RM6098 Technology Products and Associated Services 2, the Crescent Purchasing Consortium and Everything ICT. We can help you use these routes effectively, whether you are planning an ICT audit, procurement project, infrastructure review or wider digital strategy.

Ready for summer? Key questions to ask now

Before the summer window arrives, ask:

• Do we know which ICT projects are most urgent?
• Are there risks that could disrupt teaching in September?
• Have we reviewed our current contracts and support arrangements?
• Are we making the best use of available budget?
• Do planned upgrades fit our longer-term ICT strategy?
• Could we achieve better value by working across a MAT?
• Do we need independent challenge before committing to supplier proposals?

A short review now can help avoid rushed decisions later.

Make this summer count

The summer break gives schools and MATs a valuable chance to complete essential ICT work, improve resilience and prepare for the year ahead. With clear priorities, strong ICT procurement and the right strategic partner, your budget can go further and deliver better outcomes for staff and pupils.

Novatia can support your school or trust with ICT audits, digital strategy, procurement advice, cost-effective ICT planning and school tech upgrades. To discuss your summer ICT projects or wider school IT budget priorities, please get in touch with Novatia.