Ramesys
Case study
Transforming into a 21st Century school with Ramesys’ expertise
For any school, embarking on relocation to a new building is a major project and can prove a demanding and stressful challenge, with countless decisions to consider at each stage of the project. In September 2009, St. Aidan's Academy, located in Darlington, relocated to its brand new site, half a mile away from the original school.
A flourishing partnership with Ramesys, which was brought in to co-ordinate and implement the new site's ICT infrastructure, has meant that the relocation has been a success, with Ramesys supporting the school through every hurdle. When selecting ICT solutions for St. Aidan's Academy, from the beginning of the project, Ramesys constantly considered the school's aim: "to equip our students for life beyond the Academy in further and higher education training or the workplace."
BACKGROUND
Formally named Eastbourne Church of England Academy, St. Aidan's Academy, located in Darlington underwent a rename to celebrate and coincide with its relocation to a new site in September 2009. The school became an academy in September 2007, acquiring a specialism in business and enterprise. It caters for children between the ages of 10-16. Prior to becoming an academy the school was placed in special measures, struggling partly due to a high turnover of teaching staff.
The new building's student capacity is 700, compared with 600 at the previous site. Taking a school out of special measures and transforming it in to an academy is usually a lengthy process, requiring a new head teacher to be appointed 12 - 18 months prior to the school reopening so as to facilitate a smooth transition. However, in the case of Eastbourne C of E Academy, a fast turnaround was required and the school consequently took on its academy status with almost immediate effect; resulting in it becoming the fastest changing school-to-academy within England.
Since becoming an academy, the school has significantly improved in a number of areas.
Exam results have improved, exclusion levels have decreased and student attendance figures have also risen via the implementation of rigorous policy, practice and supporting systems.
THE CHALLENGE
To support the school's relocation and ensure that the facilities and internal resources inside the building matched the brand new construction, a newly designed ICT infrastructure needed to be implemented. Alan Dick has been assistant principal of the school for six years and explains: "In accordance with the school's transition to become an academy, and its relocation to the new site, we put out an ‘expression of interest' to a number of ICT solutions providers. We knew the main challenge we would encounter would be in trying to produce a cutting edge 21st century solution within budget, and with only a certain amount to spend on each child.
"To support us in achieving this we were looking to select a provider with a positive, strong record in the implementation of ICT infrastructure. The supplier needed to have the capability of fulfilling our needs and requirements as an academy, assisting us in becoming a technologically advanced learning provider for the 21st Century, but also providing effective and financially viable solutions within budget. Due to the huge scale of work involved with relocating, it made sense to introduce the most effective solutions from the beginning, and we consequently required a provider with a high level of expertise and knowledge to achieve this."
THE SOLUTION
From the five companies that pitched to St. Aidan's Academy, Ramesys was awarded the contract to provide the school's new ICT solutions. Alan reveals: "Ramesys in particular stood out against the other providers because of the positive, people-focused feel of the company. Ramesys not only came across as an expert in its field, but staff at the school were also impressed with the personable yet professional service provided. Ramesys was keen to involve everyone in the project and there was a strong sense of community, they set to work immediately to develop a tailored partnership. The school, the consultancy, and I have worked very closely together, with Ramesys constantly putting forward effective solutions within the Academy's budget."
As part of its ICT solutions for St. Aidan's, Ramesys has implemented a number of new and innovative technologies, working with the school to agree the most effective forms of ICT. For instance, from the start of September 2009 St. Aidan's Academy will have numerous new ICT systems to become familiar with, including cashless catering, library system and Parent Pay.
"Cashless catering is a modern form of payment and means that students need not bring cash in to school - instead they simply top up a card and use this for payment. This is a technologically advanced solution, and positive for both students and the school. For example, it reduces the risk of students mislaying money, whilst the school benefits too as it facilitates management reporting and simplifies the cashing up process," explains Alan.
Other examples of new systems and resources implemented include; CISCO Active Network, video conferencing, IP telephony, IPTV and media streaming, DELL desktops, 32 Promethean interactive whiteboards, DELL central virtualised server farm, follow-you print management solution as well as 14 LCD information displays.
A further example is Parent Pay which again decreases the likelihood of children needing to bring money into school, meaning that a child's day at school becomes safer. Parents are able to securely and safely pay for a number of things such as school trips and school uniform, as Alan continues: "The solutions that Ramesys has sourced and recommended will all contribute to establish St. Aidan's as an innovative learning establishment. Providing digital payment systems allows us to become a more streamlined provider, enabling us to decrease the amount of paperwork, reducing wastage and administration, whilst providing extensive and comprehensive management reports. These solutions are in budget and encompass everything that we are trying to achieve as a school, whist also making the school day safer for children, and parents' lives easier."
THE BENEFITS
St. Aidan's Academy feels that Ramesys' delivery of ICT solutions and the support provided throughout the project has remained outstanding from start to finish. Alan enthuses: "The high level planning has been positive and the commitment from all the Ramesys' staff members has been brilliant. Even simple tasks such as plugging in equipment were completed systematically. Most encouraging of all is the positive and united approach to work displayed by all Ramesys' staff members - even the project manager got involved in lifting equipment. Ramesys' way of working creates a positive atmosphere and the team was always keen for me to offer input and become actively involved. Ramesys has been adaptable and open-minded to suggestions throughout."
An example of a need for first-rate management skills came when Ramesys was unable to start work on the new site until August, leaving the time-frame for installing the systems and equipment tight. Ramesys adapted to the challenge, reacting efficiently and effectively and devised a well-thought out strategy. With limited time to install the new ICT resources on-site, Ramesys decided that to overcome this challenge the computers and other ICT equipment would be assembled at its warehouses in Nottingham. The structure Ramesys employed for transportation of the resources was impressive, proving extremely efficient and slick, with minimal wastage. Rather than shipping all of the stock straight to the school's site and then needing to dispose of packaging Ramesys designed cages to transport the stock on. The equipment was then taken to the Academy and the kit was installed in to the classroom. This resulted in there being no need to hire skips and enabled the site to remain uncluttered, whilst also being good for the environment as all the packaging was recycled by Ramesys.
The solutions provided by Ramesys were selected to specifically meet the school's individual needs, as Alan declares: "From what I have observed so far Ramesys has designed and implemented an ICT system precisely in response to our requirements. We really have been impressed with the solutions provided and with Ramesys' exceptional attitude and approach to delivering these. The team has been supportive and informative, yet allowed the school to contribute freely, and adapted where necessary throughout. Ramesys is exceptionally knowledgeable at building a tailored solution for each individual school and overcoming the general, everyday challenges that are generated from implementing a new infrastructure. Ramesys has been hugely instrumental in facilitating a seamless transition to our brand new school."
THE WAY FORWARD
As most of the ICT systems that have been implemented are brand new to St. Aidan's Academy, the school is looking forward to establishing and integrating these within the new building and within the lives of the students and staff members. Ramesys has implemented these new technologies in accordance with St. Aidan's Academy's needs, as Alan concludes: "Ramesys has supported us to overcome the challenge of sourcing cutting edge and effective solutions, within the school's budget. We have contracted Ramesys to manage the ICT service for the first year in the new building and I think this will be the starting block of a strong partnership. I predict that this will continue, with Ramesys maintaining the management of our ICT infrastructure in accordance with our individual and ever-shifting needs - we look forward to a lasting relationship."
Alan Dick