School technicians to work for Northgate - Visionary strategy frees schools to focus on Building Schools for the Future
14 January 2009
School technicians from 11 secondary schools in Kent will now be working directly for Northgate Managed Services from the outset of the BSF programme, freeing up staff to focus on the educational outcomes.
As schools face the challenge of developing a shared vision for ICT, Northgate’s visionary approach ensures that its team of professionals gain a much deeper understanding of the different ICT needs and issues experienced by individual schools. It will also help build a solid working relationship imperative for successful change management. Working alongside school technicians from such an early point also means that extensive evaluation of existing resources can be carried out to ensure best value for the school.
BSF is set to have such a dramatic effect on teaching and learning, so it is vital that buy-in from the whole school community is achieved. Northgate’s approach provides time for both parties to feel comfortable working together and time to iron out any issues. Herne Bay High Specialist School & Sports College in Kent is already seeing the benefits of the Interim Managed Service. Steve Clifford, ICT Support Manager at the school, comments: “Northgate’s early involvement with our school has meant we’ve had time to establish a good relationship before BSF begins. The professional support I now receive, combined with the company’s open-door approach has enabled me to voice my concerns and issues and manage those of staff, helping to ensure that everyone is confident in our vision for ICT.”
Helping to improve standards for ICT within schools and ensure a high level and continuity of service, Northgate is working with school technicians to determine their skill levels, providing professional training, guidance and support. This combined with its interim ICT managed service, is helping to free up technician time previously spent chasing suppliers and resolving software issues so their time can be better channelled into supporting staff and developing the school’s new ICT strategy. Steve Clifford, comments: “As Northgate has taken on the responsibility for my professional development and service to the school, I am now able to improve and expand our ICT offering to staff and students without impacting heavily on the school’s budget. For example, I will be taking part in Northgate’s Team leaders Development Programme to build leadership and management skills to further support my team and school. ”
The Kent BSF Programme represents a £600 million project to refurbish or rebuild and transform the delivery of education in secondary schools in Gravesham, Swale and Thanet. Eleven schools will be benefit from the first initial £29 million investment in ICT provided by Northgate Managed Services.
John Parkinson, BSF Director, Education, Northgate Managed Services, comments: “Northgate’s new approach to BSF will enable us to build good rapport and working relationships with schools and build upon the expert local knowledge of school technicians to achieve school’s visions for ICT. Northgate continues to work hard to ensure ICT is embedded into the design process of each school at every stage and want schools to have complete confidence, trust and input in our work. We believe we can achieve this with our Interim Managed Service.”
Northgate began the implementation of its Interim Managed Service in November 2008. For further information, please visit the web site at www.northgate-is.com/educationor contact Northgate on Tel: +44 (0) 28 90859085 or e-mail education@northgate-is.com.
