digital strategy
overview
In the last 10 years, as well as continuing to be a Head of Computer Science and teacher, I have held positions in senior management and have developed and implemented Digital Strategy. In schools this strategy is far reaching and diverse and affects all aspects of school life!
Although I have technical skills and absolutely love to get my hands dirty, in a ‘geeky way’, one of my greatest strengths is the ability to communicate across the school community including parents, governors and staff.
One of the things I enjoy is being part of the process of transformation brought about directly and indirectly by new IT systems. Schools need a strong connection between its staff and the technology and this is made easier by someone who can serve as a bridge between the two.
Schools where I have held a strategic role:
- Godolphin and Latymer – IT Coordinator
- Notting Hill and Ealing, GDST – Assistant Head – IT Strategy
- Queen’s College, Harley Street – Director of IT
my strategic roles
Godolphin & Latymer, Hammersmith
Projects and achievements included:
- the assessment of the IT requirements of the school in order to organise and manage the construction and development of a computer network
- the organisation of the appropriate paperwork such as a school policy on IT
- the implementation of a data record keeping system for years 7, 8 and 9
- the preparation of IT documentation for a GSA Quality Management Audit Inspection
- the positive and enthusiastic communication to staff of the merits of IT, when, at that time, schools were used to functioning without these systems. This was a steep learning curve all round.
Notting Hill & Ealing High School, GDST
Projects and achievements included:
- the development of SharePoint and Firefly, together with the training and encouragement of teaching and administrative staff to use these systems
- the developing of the use of SIMs.net
- the creation of training materials for staff and the delivery of courses on the use of the IT systems including SIMs.net, Firefly and Planet eStream
- the development of the school-wide electronic notice board system and management of its content
- the oversight of technical projects and being the school representative in negotiations with the GDST concerning new initiatives and the IT budget
- the management of MidYIS and ALIS
Queen’s College, Harley Street
Projects and achievements included:
- the development of Firefly which was Queen’s first VLE
- the development of the school’s MIS, SchoolBase and the management of the transition from the client to the online version
- the development of SharePoint / OneDrive in order to migrate file storage to the cloud in light of an ageing local infrastructure
- the ‘selling’ of these new systems to the governors, SLT, teachers and parents and demonstrating the immense benefits
- facilitating the integration of SchoolBase with Firefly and Office 365
- the introduction and development of Teams in time for the first UK lockdown in March 2020
- the development of a wealth of training materials for staff and students together with the delivery of courses in the use of the IT systems including SchoolBase, Firefly, Teams, OneDrive and Office
other industry/project management experience
Research Machines, PLC
Research Machines was the largest provider of IT Services and software for education in the UK.
Projects and achievements included:
- general consultancy and hands-on installation of networks in schools and colleges.
- acting as the on-site, technical RM representative and manager for the company’s first outsourcing project in the FE sector in Tynemouth College
- the interim management of an IT team and assisting in the installation of a network for 15,000 students across 4 sites at a North London FE college
Deloitte’s Consulting
Project management and business development working on a PFI project delivering IT systems to the Lord Chancellor’s department and CAFCASS.