In this digital age, the role of IT in education cannot be understated. Not only is it helping managers run their trusts more efficiently, it’s also helping educators deliver enhanced learning experiences to students – from face-to-face teaching in the classroom to remote learning in the bedroom. As the AI revolution gains momentum, the role of IT in education will only grow. So too will the need for schools and trusts to embrace the latest network technology.
The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT), a Multi-Academy Trust in South West England, the first stage of their digital transformation strategy was to create a cutting-edge network infrastructure across its seven sites. To deliver it, TPLT turned to Aruba Platinum Partner, Switchshop.
A Need for Standardisation, High Performance,
and Cost-Effectiveness
In education, like any other sector, organisations must adapt to thrive. Trusts like The Priory Learning Trust constantly seek to raise standards and improve outcomes for their students. As a multi-academy trust, this has to be achieved in a consistent way across its six academies, seven sites. In addition, today’s education centre networks require fast wireless access, storage solutions to cope with heavy user demands, and filtering to keep children safe. The first key challenge of network transformation was therefore to upgrade and standardise local network infrastructures across all sites. To be fit for purpose, the solution would need to be future-proof – providing robust, high-speed wireless and wired network capability – while being scalable, secure, easy-to-manage, and above all, cost-effective.
There was also the question of on-time delivery – in the middle of a global pandemic. This would require a flexible approach to project management and a capacity to overcome practical hurdles to deliver training to the Trust’s IT team. All of this against a backdrop of very tight budgets: the solution would have to clearly demonstrate cost-effectiveness.
“Our vision and strategy is to centralise our IT systems and infrastructure over the next few years to better the outcomes of our students and streamline the experience for staff.”
Simon Merrick, Head of IT, The Priory Learning Trust
Secure, reliable and mobile-first
Working closely with the Trust’s IT leaders, Switchshop defined a strategy to standardise local network infrastructures across all sites – as part of the first phase of digital transformation at TPLT. The agreed strategy saw the creation of a 10GB backbone infrastructure at each site, deploying both OM4 fibre and 10GB switches. The solution specified cutting-edge switching technology from HPE Aruba, namely the 5412R chassis loaded with fibre and ethernet modules. This provided the basis for a highly resilient, mobile-first network. The use of 2540 series and 2930F series edge switches brought high-speed, mobile-friendly network coverage to the Trust’s seven sites, in a highly cost-effective way.
“We know the challenges educational trusts face when it comes to delivering high performance and reliable networks on a tight budget. We help them strike a balance to obtain the most important technologies without overspending. One size rarely fits all, so diligent design and understanding the customer requirements is the key to getting it right – ensuring all the while that we can generate savings, whilst delivering significant improvements in network performance and reliability.”
Michael Curry, Director, Switchshop
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