What delivering 200 DfE projects has taught us about EdTech

Over the course of delivering more than 200 ICT design and delivery projects for the Department for Education (DfE), we at Novatia have gained profound insights into the evolving landscape of EdTech. 

Our extensive experience has equipped us with a deep understanding of how to effectively integrate technology into educational environments to enhance learning outcomes and operational efficiency, making us the ideal ICT in education partner for any school or MAT. 

Let’s take a closer look at the valuable lessons we’ve learned from these projects…

The benefits of early integration

One of the key takeaways from our extensive project experience is the importance of integrating ICT considerations early on in the construction process.

By involving ICT specialists from the very beginning of the initial design phase, schools can ensure that their technology needs are seamlessly woven into the fabric of the building’s infrastructure. As always, it’s important to start with the bigger picture: teaching and learning: 

• How will teachers teach?
• What will school life look like for pupils?
• How will technology be used in and out of the classroom? 

Keeping these questions in mind at the beginning of DfE projects helps prevent costly modifications later and ensures that the ICT systems are optimally designed to support the educational goals of the institution.

Collaborative stakeholder management

Time and time again we’ve seen that effective stakeholder management is crucial for the success of any EdTech project. 

Our experience has taught us that working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including school administrators, teachers, and construction teams, leads to better outcomes. We’re aware that any kind of workshopping exercise should involve all stakeholders from the very beginning - design teams, project teams, specifiers, QS, DfE, school administrators, teachers, subcontractors, architects and ICT and digital consultants will need to be actively consulted. 

Open communication and regular updates help align everyone’s expectations and address potential issues proactively. This collaborative approach ensures that the ICT solutions meet the needs of all users and are fully integrated into the overall building design.

A focus on cyber security

With the increasing reliance on digital technologies, cybersecurity has become a paramount concern. Education ranks fifth globally by industry in cybercrime incidents, and it’s needless to say that schools face a plethora of cyber security risks in the modern era - including data breaches and student information protection, phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, endpoint security vulnerabilities and even insider threats.

Our involvement in hundreds of school ICT design and delivery projects have highlighted the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and ensure the safe operation of ICT systems. This includes regular security audits, staff training, and the adoption of best practices in data protection. We also help with procurement and implementation - our work supporting Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) oversaw the strategic decision to procure essential ICT services centrally to improve e-safety and building a robust ICT infrastructure. We’ve got all the insider tips and tricks on how to bolster the security of your organisation, and can advise on all the necessary steps to embed vigilance into day-to-day operations. 

It’s not a ‘one size fits all’ approach 

• Effective integration of digital technologies into the physical design of the teaching and learning spaces, enabling the interactive boards in the classrooms and portable devices in the outdoor learning spaces to connect to the wireless networks across the entire site.
• Sourcing, configuring, installing and integrating the active network including Network Switches and Wi-Fi with a full suite of cloud management capabilities.
• Developing a model classroom that allowed all stakeholders to see how the vision behind the school was coming to life through the new building. This meant that the senior leadership team and teachers could get hands-on with the classroom technology and validate that it served the teaching and learning needs.

Training and support

Implementing new technology is only the first step; providing ongoing training and support is equally important. We’ve learned that comprehensive training programs for teachers and staff are essential to ensure that they can effectively use the new technologies. 

We’ve also learned that tech can be rendered virtually useless without the right person in charge. As part of our partnership with the Skinners’ Kent Academy, Novatia supported the Academy in its recruitment of its Head of IT Services and Network Manager. We wrote the job descriptions, vetted applications, and participated in the interview process which included the development and assessment of technical tasks, resulting in the appointment of high calibre individuals. 

A 3-day induction programme for the new appointments and the existing IT Technician was then developed and deployed:

• The programme included a technical skills analysis resulting in a training plan which prioritised immediate needs for professional development across the team. 
• ITIL processes were introduced, focusing on improvements to the Help Desk, problem management and financial management. 
• Documentation was gathered for all support and maintenance contracts, resulting in a programme for renewal fees and dates. 
• Lastly, Novatia interviewed and recommended a 3rd party support company who was appointed for 3rd line Citrix support to supplement the in-house service.

We’re aware that providing extended support and troubleshooting assistance helps to maintain the smooth operation of ICT systems and addresses any issues that arise - which makes us a one-stop shop when it comes to ICT procurement and implementation.

Sustainability and future proofing

Sustainability is a growing concern in all sectors, including education. The Department of Education (DfE) unveiled a strategy in 2022 that sets the goal for schools to achieve zero carbon status by 2030 under the initiative named "Let’s Go Zero". The strategy aims to eliminate inefficient buildings and outdated technology, which currently results in schools spending approximately £630 million annually on energy expenses.

Keeping this in mind, Novatia’s experience with DfE projects has highlighted the importance of designing ICT solutions with a focus on sustainability. This includes energy-efficient equipment, environmentally friendly practices, and planning for future upgrades. 

We’ve also discovered that thinking ahead is crucial when it comes to EdTech. Future-proofing ICT systems ensures that schools can adapt to new technologies without requiring complete overhauls. The field of educational technology is constantly evolving, and staying abreast of these changes is essential. For example, While 2024 sees a movement from Wi-FI 6e (802.11ax) to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), we already have Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) penned for adoption in 2028. And when it comes to network capacity, bandwidth requirements and coverage areas will also need to be considered. In observing not only the picture of today but also tomorrow, 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. This means ensuring that the data cabling and networking infrastructure is designed to not only grow with the ambitions of the school but with the increasing size of data and bandwidth requirements over time. 

Through our continuous work on DfE projects, Novatia has learned the importance of flexibility and adaptability in ICT design and implementation. By anticipating future technological trends and incorporating scalable solutions, schools can avoid becoming obsolete and continue to benefit from the latest advancements in EdTech.

As this blog demonstrates, Novatia has developed a proven approach to delivering successful EdTech projects. These lessons continue to guide us as we help schools and MATs across the UK harness the power of technology to enhance education.

To discover more about our extensive services, please contact us today.