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:

• Broadband internet
• Wireless networks
• Network switches
• Digital leadership
• Filtering and monitoring
• Cyber security

These make up part of the 11 digital and technology standards published by DfE in 2022. The department said that although 72% of school IT leads were aware of the standards, only 16% reported meeting them. This might be greater visibility and compliance than some other DfE guidance, but is of concern nevertheless.

To kickstart digital transformation in your educational institution, you need a robust digital strategy that’s cohesive, informed and future-facing. But as we’re aware here at Novatia, it can be difficult knowing where to start! The DfE have acknowledged the challenge of getting started and introduced its ‘Plan Your Technology’ tool which might work for you, but there’s a broader context to be engaged with first before you get ‘down in the weeds’! 

Our ultimate digital strategy guide contains everything you need to ensure your school is thriving when it comes to its tech approach - read on below to find out more.

Start with an initial vision

A clear IT vision for your educational institution isn’t just helpful - it’s essential. This vision should go beyond technology itself and focus on what you want to achieve through digital transformation. It’s centred on thinking about the type of learning experiences you’d like your school to offer and the role technology plays in delivering these.

Here are some top tips to consider when it comes to shaping an IT vision for your school:

• Start with mapping out your long-term organisational goals - from how can effective use of tech help you reduce wasted resources and improve efficiency through to your pedagogical objectives?
• Consider the challenges your school is currently facing - whether it’s attendance problems or administrative overload, think about how leveraging technology can address these issues.
• Engage staff, students and parents - from new learning tools to better parental communication channels, find out what members of your school community would like to see change in terms of your organisation’s digital provision
• Consider cybersecurity measures and data management from the beginning - a robust IT vision includes a clear stance on data protection, safeguarding, and ethical tech use. These are foundational concerns - not bolt-on extras.
• Don’t neglect future requirements - when it comes to tech, you’ll need infrastructure that stands the test of time and can accommodate upcoming changes. 
  
• Seek expert support - an independent specialist can help assess the wider picture and provide invaluable insights when it comes to shaping a digital strategy for your school or MAT.

Invest in scalable network infrastructure 

Here are some of the key types of ICT infrastructure that you’ll need to consider from the very beginning of forming an ICT approach for your school:

• Data cabling and networking infrastructure - this is crucial for connecting devices, systems, and users within the school environment. You will need to implement both wired and wireless networks that provide high-speed internet access throughout the campus. Factors such as network capacity, bandwidth requirements and coverage areas will also need to be considered. While Cat 6a cabling may be commonplace in new build projects today, we already have Cat 7 and Cat 8 standards available in the market and have started to see some use in the commercial sector especially in data centre considerations.
• Wireless connectivity - you should ask your supplier or in-house support team to provide a wireless solution that uses, at a minimum, the Wi-Fi 6E standard. The wireless network should use the latest standard approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). You should also review the network interface speeds of the access points when considering the solution - these will typically be 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps or 10Gbps. 
• Data storage and management systems - these are necessary for securely storing and accessing educational resources, student records and administrative information. Cloud-based storage solutions, data backup systems and data security measures are all essential components that work to manage and protect the data of your institution.

Don’t neglect data

Data is critical to informed decision-making, with AI-enabled insights helping drive school success and ease administrative burdens. But without a clear strategy, even the most advanced systems can lead to:

• Difficulty in decision making - with vast amounts of indecipherable, unstructured data, you’ll struggle to find any meaning in its insights.
• Fragmented and inconsistent data - multiple systems and databases coupled with a lack of strategy = data you can’t really trust.
• Compliance issues - failing to keep on top of your data could get you in big trouble; you need a robust data policy that complies with legal requirements and best practices.

To ensure your data management contributes to an effective digital strategy, you’ll need to ensure you:

• Conduct a data audit - a data audit will assess the current state of data practices across your school or MAT. You’ll be able to identify areas of improvement, gaps in data collection and data inconsistencies that can hinder the success of your educational institution. Based on the audit findings, school IT leaders can then develop a data management strategy that outlines goals, priorities and action plans to enhance data practices.
• Invest in a centralised data system - a centralised data management system will save considerable time and help alleviate administrative pressure, which can be particularly beneficial when it comes to managing large MATs.
• Embrace automated technology - automation of routine tasks like data entry, reporting and analysis not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors, ensuring data accuracy and consistency.

Implement secure cybersecurity measures

A recent study has highlighted the growing cybersecurity crisis schools are facing:

• 1/3 educational institutions lack essential protections like antivirus software and strong password policies.
• The vast majority (79%) have not adopted advanced measures like managed detection and response either.
• Only 44% of primary schools and just 36% of secondary schools report having a cyber insurance plan in place.
• Some schools (7%) operate without an annual cybersecurity budget at all.

With 50% of the schools visited by Novatia consultants in the last 6 months having experienced a cyber-attack of some sort in the previous 12 months, it’s more important than ever that schools are taking the necessary steps to stay cyber safe - and this involves incorporating strong cybersecurity measures into your wider digital strategy.

From data encryption to developing incident response plans, our blog explores how schools can protect themselves against some of the most prevalent cyber threats, such as data breaches and phishing attacks.

In response to growing cybersecurity concerns, DfE cyber security standards for schools and colleges have been updated to address tasks that should be completed by both the senior leadership team (SLT) and IT support. This emphasises cyber security is not something that IT teams can carry out alone, it is a shared responsibility between multiple roles and teams.

This makes it all the more important for your school or MAT to have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy - something we can assist you with here at Novatia. 

Develop a clear AI policy 

With a recent DfE report encouraging targeted efforts to ‘ensure GenAI adoption in education is safe, effective, and aligns with good pedagogy’, it’s likely that while AI application in education will continue to increase, so will efforts to regulate its appropriate use. Going into 2025, schools should have a clear AI strategy to guarantee its best use across schools and MATs.

Here are a few questions it may be worth considering when it comes to considering your school’s approach to automated technology:

• Does your school have the required hardware and infrastructure to facilitate AI development?
• How will your AI approach comply with your existing data and security policies?
• Have your staff participated in any AI training workshops or courses?
• How is AI already being used - without being planned or managed!

AI in education is not going away anytime soon - but if you’re concerned about the impact it may have on your school, Novatia can support you. We can help:

• Craft a tailored AI strategy aligned with your educational objectives
• Define a clear vision for integrating AI in the classroom, including practical use cases and curriculum enhancements
• Provide guidance and training for staff on best practices in AI implementation and educating them on privacy and safeguarding protocols.

Prioritise accessibility for SEND students

Recent Tes analysis of government data found 1,673,205 pupils in English schools have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - representing almost a fifth of the school population and a 31.2 per cent increase since 2016. Additionally, the number of school pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) has risen by 180,000 or 71% between 2018 and 2024. As a result, nearly 5% of pupils now have EHCPs.

With this in mind, you will need to incorporate accommodations for SEND students into your digital strategy through:

• Personalised learning experiences - every child has a distinct learning style and pace, and digital tools are adept at adapting to these individual needs. For instance, students with visual impairments can benefit from text-to-speech software, such as Speechify, or braille displays, enabling them to access educational content with ease. 
• Assistive technologies - for students who struggle with writing, speech recognition software serves as a valuable tool, allowing them to articulate their thoughts verbally and have them transcribed into written form. Novatia is now a proud partner of the British Assistive Technology Association.
• Increased accessibility - EdTech plays a crucial role in breaking down geographical and logistical barriers, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to learn and participate in classroom activities. For example, through VR headsets and augmented reality students with mobility issues can experience the thrill of climbing Mount Everest in a virtual environment. Integrating tech solutions like this into schools’ digital strategies is a vital step towards promoting digital accessibility and inclusion for all students.

At Novatia, we’ve worked with countless educational institutions to ensure their digital strategies accommodate children with a wide range of specialist needs and requirements. From helping schools meet DfE Digital Accessibility Standards to undergoing data audits, we know what it takes to guarantee your IT approach is up-to-date. 

We also assist schools in designing for SEND needs and requirements. A recent example of this is our work at Hill View School, a new 5-16 co-educational special free school, established within The Oak Partnership Trust, to cater to the unique needs of children with speech, language, communication and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Novatia supported effective integration of digital technologies into the physical design of the teaching and learning spaces, improving the learning experience for all.

Keep sustainability in mind

The UK Department for Education's (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy is designed to ensure that all children and young people have access to high-quality education on sustainability and climate change.

To do this, they have set out the following goals:

• Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• Increasing awareness of the impacts of people's behaviour on climate change.
• Encouraging schools to meet their energy needs through renewable technologies or low-carbon alternatives.
• Reducing the environmental impact of school travel through greener modes of transport, such as walking and cycling.

To keep in line with sustainability guidelines, educational institutions must incorporate an environmentally-conscious approach to all elements of school life.

This involves maximising:

• Energy efficient features - DfE’s “Let’s Go Zero” initiative aims to eliminate inefficient buildings and outdated technology, which currently results in schools spending approximately £630 million annually on energy expenses. This has reinforced the necessity of schools to invest in features such as smart energy & lighting technology, as well as modern hardware and infrastructure to accommodate ever-evolving ICT requirements. 
• Cloud-based software - considering the fact that reducing paper usage by one ton annually can save around 24 mature trees, it’s a no brainer for schools to switch to cloud-based LMS that additionally offers increased accessibility.
• Data-driven energy tracking - digital analytics tools, enabled by AI, can monitor factors across schools such as energy and water usage, waste management and overall carbon footprints. The data derived from these analytics can then be used to help develop sustainable energy strategies.

Working towards sustainability in education is something we’re passionate about at Novatia - we have extensive experience helping schools integrate sustainability into their ICT approach. Whether you need assistance with building greener ICT infrastructure or procuring energy-efficient hardware, we’re on hand to help.

At Novatia, we’re proud of our work providing schools and MATs with ICT audits and successful strategies. Our services target all aspects of your digital life - technical, operational and educational - to ensure your school thrives with a cohesive, bespoke ICT approach.

With nearly 20 years of ICT experience and 250 clients within the education sector, we can help you achieve your educational aims - get in touch with us today to discover how we can help your school achieve excellence.