Can Academy Schools Enjoy the Benefits of Network Sharing?

MLL Telecom - 1 March 2011

The current buzz around 'an inclusive society' has implications for Academy Schools. Their students should enjoy the same opportunities as their Local Authority counterparts and yet they are an autonomous body who adhere to different guidelines.

Initiatives such as 'Total Place', the PSN and 'digital inclusion' all relate to the idea of an inclusive society. Everyone should have access to the same resources, through shared services, at significant cost savings. Academy schools will have a budget separate from their Local Authority, so what does the freedom that comes with this separation in procuring IT services mean for them? When a council procures a new shared network infrastructure how does one ensure that all pupils have the same opportunities?

Initiatives like Total Place look at how a 'whole area' approach to public services can lead to better services at less cost - an Academy is a public service and should obviously be included. This implies that the government should be dictating how these Academies spend their IT budget, and insisting that they opt into a county wide network sharing scheme.

A number of issues arise from this if it were to be the case, not least the infringement on their autonomy. For example; these schools would have to pay VAT, unlike schools under the Local Authority's budget. Also, how much influence would the Academy have on any decisions made? There may be inconsistency between the strict public sector best practice procurement process and the approach of the Academy School. Despite these issues, it is possible for an Academy to currently opt into (or indeed, out of) a shared network. Perhaps the simple answer is to rely on the common sense of IT procurement decisions within the Academies and the fact that the benefits of shared networks speak for themselves. For example:

- The cost for secure internet access will be optimized by being a part of a shared network, in our experience this it can be up to 25% more cost effective.

- When any school - including an Academy, sends sensitive data (e.g. to the DCSF) it must be by a secure method, and not by open email, no matter what encryptions are in place. A well-designed shared network infrastructure will be pre-built to GCSX standards and to adopt the PSN.

- VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) across shared networks can be structured into a network to ensure privacy and maintain the independence of an Academy and broaden network choices for different groups utilising the school infrasructure.

- Controls are built into the networks that limit access to unsuitable materials.

- There is a lower administration burden on the school's IT manager.

- A well-designed shared network can offer improved resilience over an independent system.

Whether a school should be forced to join a network for the sake of equal opportunity is not for me to say however it is certainly possible for an Academy School to enjoy the benefits of a shared network.

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