Education

Oakford continues to work with both existing Academy Trusts and new, forming trusts to implement strategic and effective ICT solutions. Some of the most common solutions include the installation of dedicated broadband lines followed by the integration of each Academy Trust member’s ICT system with centralised management from the Trust Lead. By centrally managing and hosting services from the Trust lead site all Trust members will reduce overall ICT spending and ICT support requirements. There are also further savings in infrastructure and software purchases.

Initial Consultancy

An initial consultation with Oakford will provide your Academy Trust with available options both from a technical and financial perspective. We will gather all required information from each school site including – software used, ICT hardware, physical network infrastructure and broadband connectivity and will produce a report detailing any equipment or services required per Trust site in addition to any centralised infrastructure requirements.

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Design & Project Management

Should you decide to move forward with a centrally managed Trust network, Oakford will provide full design and project management services to ensure downtime is minimal and that each Trust member understands what is happening and when.

Implementation & Support

Oakford will also implement the solutions required as a fixed, managed project which will include on-site training for each Trust site. Full system documentation will be provided upon completion and an on-going remote support service will be available to the Academy Trust leader.

Many secondary schools contact Oakford on a regular basis to seek help with their IT support and development. While each case is slightly different, a consistent reason for seeking outsourced IT services include –

• IT staff departure
• Long term IT staff sickness
• Poor IT support performance
• Lack of in house skills to achieve goals
• Cost saving

Oakford can help in a variety of ways, either complementing an existing IT support team with 3^rd line support and consultancy or providing a fully outsourced IT agreement with on site staff provision.

On Site Support Staff

Remote 3rd Line Support

Management and Consultancy

Total Responsibility

Confident and well trusted, Oakford are able to take full responsibility of your system and its needs. From a simple request to change a toner cartridge to implementing your new ICT suite we can deliver the full spectrum of ICT services leaving you and your team free to work on your school’s planning and ICT curriculum delivery. Typically answerable to the business manager or the Headteacher and working alongside your ICT department our onsite deployed Network Manager, technical team and visiting consultant keep your ICT provision on target and in alignment with both your curriculum and your strategic targets.

A named consultant visits the School on a regular basis to lead the management and strategic development of IT.

The consultant also meets with the Senior Leadership Team on a regular basis to discuss new technology developments e.g. server virtualisation, Thin Client technology and education focused developments.

By using both commercial and education experience from other establishments, the Oakford consultants are able to provide credible recommendations for improvement. They are also able to provide the School with details and advice on how to convert staff ideas into reality.

Oakford Technology has supported IT in schools for over 20 years, ranging from small primary and special education schools through to large secondary schools and colleges. As part of a continued programme to assist schools and colleges in the South West, Oakford Technology is offering each institution professional IT support services, IT consultancy and development services. Building on our vast experience and success of proven network design, implementation and support in other institutions, Oakford is helping schools reach or exceed IT targets through strategic development.