A large number of independent schools currently outsource their catering or cleaning services, because leadership teams appreciate that they are not best placed to deliver these tasks, instead using specialists to take away the hassle, and worry about the required processes, laws and risks.
Today, 15% of schools are enjoying the improved IT provision, cost savings and teaching and learning benefits that a specialist technology partner can bring.
According to a BESA survey from October 2017, 27% of schools are planning to review their support options this year as they become more forward-thinking. This will enable them to achieve a high level of ICT delivery and support whilst also keeping costs down.
The highest spend in most schools is on staff salaries, and when pressures are put on budgets, the thought of having to make teaching staff redundant to save money is a choice that no school wants to make. If you have a skills gap in your IT team you could continue to pay these costs by recruiting a like-for-like technician or work with an IT partner who can provide this service for you, utilising a range of more cost-efficient, on-site and remote support services.
Keeping your network, school data, teachers and learners safe in a digital age is a complex and ever-evolving task. A specialist IT partner is much better placed to keep abreast of the latest security risks, and will ensure that your infrastructure, data security and pupil access to appropriate materials are all kept as secure as possible.
By partnering with an IT support provider your IT costs become predictable, and your technology is cost effective and future-proofed. It also helps stop those expensive IT investment mistakes that must be avoided as we try to cope with ever-increasing budget pressures.
A free IT healthcheck is available to schools at rm.com/ITischanging
