Transforming Multi Academy Trusts IT Infrastructure

In UK educational landscape, Multi Academy Trusts face unprecedented challenges in managing their IT infrastructure. As a MSP who work extensively with MAT IT leaders across the UK, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the role of IT in education has evolved from a support function to a strategic imperative. Let’s explore how modern managed IT infrastructure solutions are helping MATs overcome these challenges while driving educational excellence.

The days of simple break-fix IT support are long gone.

Today’s Multi Academy Trust IT leaders are juggling multiple priorities:

• Managing complex networks across multiple sites
• Ensuring robust cybersecurity and data protection
• Supporting hybrid learning environments
• Maintaining compliance with ever-changing regulations
• Delivering strategic IT projects that enhance teaching and learning

All this while working with limited resources and budget constraints.

Many Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) are discovering that traditional approaches to IT infrastructure management are becoming unsustainable.

The real costs extend far beyond the obvious:

1. Time Drain on Internal Teams: Your skilled IT professionals spend countless hours on routine maintenance and firefighting instead of driving strategic initiatives.
2. Security Vulnerabilities: With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, maintaining robust security across multiple sites requires specialized expertise and 24/7 vigilance.
3. Scalability Challenges: As your Trust grows, the complexity of managing IT infrastructure grows exponentially, often requiring significant investment in additional resources.
4. Hidden Operational Costs: The true cost of managing IT infrastructure in-house often includes unexpected hardware failures, emergency support needs, and lost teaching time due to system issues.

Forward-thinking Trusts are adopting a new approach to IT infrastructure management that focuses on three key elements:

1. Proactive Management

Instead of waiting for things to break, modern solutions like Flex+ provide 24/7 monitoring and proactive maintenance. This means potential issues are identified and resolved before they impact teaching and learning.

2. Expert Partnership

Access to senior technical consultants means you’re not just getting support – you’re gaining a strategic partner who understands both technology and education. This expertise helps ensure your IT infrastructure aligns with your Trust’s educational goals.

3. Cost-Effective Scalability

With solutions starting at £75 per server per month, MATs can access enterprise-level support without the enterprise-level price tag. This predictable cost model makes budgeting easier and more efficient.

Let us share a perspective that might resonate with many IT leaders in education. Recently, we spoke with a Network Manager who was managing IT across five sites. Their team was stretched thin, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to implement strategic projects that could enhance teaching and learning.

By adopting a managed infrastructure solution, you could be able to:

• Reduce critical incidents by 75% through proactive monitoring
• Free up 20 hours per week for strategic projects
• Implement standardized security protocols across all sites
• Improve teacher satisfaction with IT systems

As we look to the future, it’s clear that the demands on MAT IT infrastructure will only increase. The key to success lies in building flexible, scalable systems that can adapt to changing needs while maintaining security and reliability.

This is where solutions like Flex+ come into their own, offering:

• Comprehensive 24/7 monitoring and management
• Customised backup solutions tailored to your Trust’s needs
• Proactive security measures and regular updates
• Direct access to senior technical consultants
• Local, responsive support when you need it

The thought of transitioning to a managed infrastructure solution might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is finding a partner who understands both the technical and educational aspects of your operation.

When evaluating potential solutions, consider:

1. Do they have specific experience with MATs?
2. Can they provide local, responsive support?
3. Do they offer proactive monitoring and maintenance?
4. What level of technical expertise do they provide access to?
5. Do they offer a clear, predictable pricing model?

For MATs, managing IT across multiple sites creates significant complexity. IT Service Manager’s may have to cover over 5 schools across multiple locations. A managed infrastructure solution can provide:

• Centralised management across all academy sites
• Standardised systems and processes Trust-wide
• Reduced need for technical staff at each site
• Ability to share IT resources more effectively between academies
• More time for IT leaders to focus on Trust-wide strategic initiatives

MATs face additional regulatory requirements and need to report at both individual academy and Trust level:

• Centralised compliance management
• Standardised reporting across all academies
• Easier Ofsted evidence gathering
• Better tracking of Trust-wide metrics
• Simplified audit processes

For MATs, system failures can impact thousands of students across multiple sites:

• Trust-wide backup and recovery systems
• Cross-site redundancy
• Reduced risk of system-wide failures
• Faster recovery times
• Better protection of Trust-wide data

As education continues to evolve, having a robust, reliable IT infrastructure isn’t just an operational necessity – it’s a strategic advantage.
The right managed infrastructure IT solution can help you:

• Reduce operational costs
• Improve system reliability
• Enhance security
• Free up internal resources for strategic initiatives
• Support your Trust’s growth

The question isn’t whether to modernise your IT infrastructure management, but how to do it in a way that best serves your Trust’s needs while maximising your resources.

The future of education technology is exciting, but it requires a solid foundation. By partnering with the right managed infrastructure provider, Mutli Academy Trust’s IT leaders can stop worrying about keeping the lights on and focus on driving innovation in education.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to maintain your IT infrastructure – it’s to create an environment where technology enhances teaching and learning across your entire Trust. With the right approach and partner, that goal is within reach.