The national data spine: What it means for school ICT
Schools rely on accurate pupil information every day, from monitoring attendance and progress to coordinating safeguarding and SEND support. The challenge is that this information can often sit across several systems. The Management Information System (MIS) holds one part, while specialist platforms and records hold the rest. Bringing the full picture together can take time, […]
Choosing the right route for your next school ICT purchase
When schools need to buy ICT, frameworks are often high on the list. They offer pre-approved suppliers, a quicker process and a clear route to compliance. In many cases, they are a sensible place to start. The total estimated contract value, including VAT and any options or extensions, makes a difference. A lower-value purchase that […]
Procurement Act essentials for schools
Buying ICT for your school or trust starts with knowing what you need, what the full contract will cost and which procurement route fits. The Procurement Act 2023 brings requirements around how purchases are advertised, awarded and managed, so getting those basics right helps keep the process on track. If you’re running your own above-threshold […]
Social value in school ICT contracts: Turning tender promises into measurable outcomes
A school’s ICT contract can create opportunities that reach beyond the classroom: a pupil’s first experience of the workplace, a digital skills session that helps families feel more confident online, or refurbished devices that give more people access to technology. These are the kinds of benefits that social value commitments can support. For schools and […]
AI governance and the new Ofsted report card
Ofsted’s renewed education inspection framework has been in use since 10 November 2025. An updated inspection toolkit took effect on 7 September 2026. For state-funded schools in England, there are six core graded evaluation areas, with additional grades for early years and post-16 provision where applicable. AI doesn’t have a category of its own in […]
What to include in a device refresh business case for governors and trustees
When you are building a case for refreshing devices across a school or trust, there can be a lot of technical, financial and operational information to bring together. A clear business case helps turn that information into a proposal that senior leaders, governors and trustees can consider with confidence. The proposal will often be developed […]
The Inclusive Mainstream Fund: How schools can use new funding to improve accessible ICT
The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper, published in February 2026, commits £1.6bn to the Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF) over the next three years. This covers mainstream schools, colleges and early-years settings, with £400m a year allocated to schools. Seven months on, with the new academic year underway and inclusion strategies due by the […]
Reviewing your school against the DfE digital and technology standards
The Department for Education (DfE) has set a long-term ambition for schools and colleges in England to work towards meeting six core digital and technology standards by 2030. The six standards cover: Some aspects of the standards, particularly those relating to safeguarding, filtering and monitoring and cyber security, should already be in place. Reviewing the […]
Digital Individual Support Plans are coming…
The Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper, published in February 2026, sets out the government’s plan to require digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for children and young people with identified SEND in England. The requirement isn’t in force yet, and some of the detail still depends on legislation and further guidance. Schools are expected […]
Cyber resilience and the updated Ofsted toolkit
Most schools already have one or more policies covering cyber security. The bigger question is whether they can quickly show that those policies are being put into practice. From 7 September 2026, Ofsted inspectors will use an updated inspection toolkit. Within leadership and governance, the toolkit looks at how effectively leaders and governors use resources, […]