A new section on IT support standards has recently been added by the Department for Education to the Digital and Technology Standards in Schools and Colleges.
The guidance is relevant to all schools, colleges and MATs in England, with specific implications for internal IT teams, external IT service providers and senior leadership teams (SLTs). These are standards that the DfE expects education settings to already be meeting, or at least actively working towards meeting.
This article provides a summary of the new standards.
Key terms: ‘IT support’ and ‘digital technology’
The DfE uses ‘IT support’ to refer to “the person or team responsible for making sure your school or college’s digital technology works reliably, is secure and stays up to date.”
This varies from setting to setting, and may be:
- Internal: e.g., a staff member employed by the school, college or MAT
- External: e.g., a service provided by an outside company or local authority
- Hybrid: e.g., a combination of internal and external support
By ‘digital technology’ the DfE means “hardware, software and digital services that are connected to the internet or network.” In education, this covers technology used to support teaching, learning, administration and safeguarding.
There are 5 IT support standards for schools, colleges and MATs to meet.
The DfE has outlined 6 core digital and technology standards that all schools, colleges and MATs should meet by 2030: Broadband internet; cyber security; digital leadership and governance; filtering and monitoring; network switching; and wireless network.
While meeting these standards is a shared responsibility across settings, it is the role of IT support to “make sure your technology and systems meet the necessary requirements.”
Who's involved?
IT support must have a clear understanding of the digital and technology standards and how to meet them.
The SLT digital lead must understand IT support’s specific role in meeting the standards, and assess whether additional memberships or certifications are required to support them.
How to meet the standard
IT support’s activities and planning decisions should remain compliant with the digital and technology standards.
The SLT digital lead should work closely with IT support to identify any needs or risks, and ensure that their setting’s digital technology strategy and any development plans are informed by the standards.
IT support should help schools, colleges and MATs meet their statutory duties, understand the technology they have in place, keep technology working reliably, plan upgrades & improvements, and help staff and students use technology effectively.
Who's involved?
The SLT digital lead, alongside the business manager and other SLT members, should establish what IT support the school, college or MAT requires. This should take into account exceptional times, such as exam periods or during cyber security incidents.
IT support should then understand and provide the required services.
How to meet the standard
IT support should be reliable and responsive, to minimise disruption to learning, protect sensitive data and ensure users are confident using digital technology.
The SLT digital lead should establish and agree expectations around how IT support responds to and resolves issues. IT support should meet them.
IT support arrangements should be regularly reviewed to ensure that support meets the setting’s requirements and the digital and technology standards.
The process should also help SLTs to plan updates and improvements, gather evidence to inform decisions on investment, and confirm that IT support offers value for money.
The SLT digital lead should lead the review, collaborating with:
Staff should be provided with adequate training and guidance to use technology safely, securely and effectively.
The SLT digital lead takes overall responsibility for staff training, while IT support should identify training needs, help train staff and develop training and guidance materials.
To reiterate: Schools, colleges and MATs should already be meeting, or working towards meeting, these standards.
Education settings are recommended to read the full IT support standards to ensure complete compliance.
Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges - The full list of standards to help schools, colleges and MATs use the right digital infrastructure and technology.
Digital leadership and governance standards - Outlines the role and responsibility of the SLT digital lead, and others responsible for managing digital and technology policies and standards.
Filtering and monitoring standards - Outlines the standards education settings should meet with their filtering and monitoring provisions.
Plan technology for your school - Outlines how education settings can plan and use digital technology effectively.
Buying for schools - Outlines DfE-approved buying options to help schools buy goods and services, get better value, and be compliant with procurement regulations.