20 Nov Arbor MIS at The Park Academies Trust

The Trust’s Requirements:
The Park Academies Trust is a group of academies based in Swindon, who were looking to implement a cloud-based Management Information System across all of their schools. The secondary schools moved to Arbor in April 2020, and primary schools will move by Spring 2021.

The Solution:
The academies had multiple aims with moving to a cloud-based MIS, and Arbor offered the perfect solution. One aim was to centralise data across the trust, and the other was to lose baggage from their previous server-based system, for example dropping their 3rd party systems.

The Result:
Moving to Arbor’s cloud based MIS has allowed Park Academies to come together to align processes across the trust. During the Covid-19 crisis, they have also been finding new and flexible ways of working thanks to Arbor. Staff have been able to keep in touch with hard-to-reach students, stay on top of key attendance stats and kick-start interventions for when students return.

Here are just some of the things that were easier during Covid-19, thanks to the Arbor system:

• Communications logs, allowing for follow-up with students
• Creating interventions for Year 10’s gradual return
• Submitting the DfE return takes minutes with Arbor’s Covid-19 dashboard

The Arbor system has made a measurable difference to staff:

• 73% say that communication has improved throughout Covid-19
• 67% can see the benefits of using Arbor compared to their previous server-based system
• 57% are more aware of school key measures now compared to using SIMS

“Arbor’s general response to Covid has been great!”
Jon Ward, Vice Principal (Curriculum & Standards), Abbey Park School

20 Nov St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

The School’s Requirements:
Having realised that their existing ICT Suite was in desperate need of an upgrade, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School researched online for companies and got in touch with us. The brief was to design, renovate and project manage all works required to provide a new ICT Suite at the school, incorporating the following:

• A minimum of 30 pupil work areas
• A front of class teaching space with a large interactive screen and dedicated teacher desk
• All work areas to be facing forward (the room is also used for Borough wide teacher training so it was important that the room was considered for dual purpose use)
• All work areas to be provided with new “All in One” style PCs
• New power and data cabling to be discreetly contained around the room and within the ICT furniture
• The removal and disposal of legacy cabling, containment systems, furniture, carpet and radiator
• Full decoration of the room
• Ultimately, to deliver a new state of the art ICT Suite with the “WOW” factor

The Solution:
Trusol started work in late July 2020 and handed over a fully operational ICT suite in the stunning school colours in mid August, meeting all requirements within the brief.

The Result:
“When we decided to upgrade our computer room we were looking for a company that would be able to fully project manage all aspects of the refit including replacing all network cables, electrics, desks, carpets, radiators and PCs. We had a specific design in mind, unique to our school, and Trusol were able to offer invaluable advice and a plan including bespoke furniture matching our school colours. It was important to us that all computer desks faced the front of the classroom and Trusol provided a very cost effective solution based on our needs. The work was completed to an exceptionally high standard and we are delighted with the results.”

Simon Ellis
Assistant Headteacher

20 Nov Wolf Fields Primary School

The School’s Requirements:
Wolf Fields is a community primary school in Southall. It’s a mixed school with 440 pupils from 3 to 11 years of age and is one of 67 infant, primary and junior schools in the London Borough of Ealing. Headteacher, Simoné Neil approached us because they were determined to kick-start and improve the ICT services available for their teachers and pupils. Although they were previously with a different service company, their school still lacked some basic ICT requirements, leading to inadequate teaching facilities for their staff.

The Solution:
We assisted Wolf Fields Primary School by providing new servers, cabling and infrastructure, plus a whole new configuration for the school IT systems.

The Result:
“The result was brilliant; not only did Trusol provide us with extensive support, they even helped investigate the Curriculum requirement to provide us with the tools best suited for our school, without pushing sales towards the higher-end products.

One thing that was helpful was Trusol’s ability to make the best use of our IT budget, allowing us to plan for both immediate and future investment on a rolling cycle. The technical support provided by the school’s allocated technician is very ‘hands on’ – and Trusol are also always readily available for support by phone or email, including remote troubleshooting.

Trusol are unique in their approach to delivering a service. I would recommend Trusol to people who need to feel secure with the IT services provided at their schools, as they definitely don’t disappoint!”

Simoné Neil
Headteacher

20 Nov Edward Betham CofE Primary School

The School’s Requirements:
Edward Betham is a voluntary aided Church of England Primary School for boys and girls aged 3-11 years. Located in Greenford in the Willesden area of the Diocese of London, the school is maintained by the London Borough of Ealing Education Authority. The brief was to advise and support across the school’s ICT provision.

The Solution:
We have been the school’s ICT support provider since 2007, taking care of all school IT and AV systems, as well as supporting their Management Information Systems.

In the past 2 years, we have:

• Installed and upgraded the school-wide WiFi system
• Implemented interactive touch screen classroom panels throughout the school
• Upgraded the school’s Admin and Curriculum Servers
• Fitted out two halls with impressive AV systems

We provide a regular support technician, who has been with the school since our relationship began.

The Result:

“Trusol provides us with an excellent technical support service. Having supported Edward Betham for such a long time they just know what we need, working with us to develop our strategy and ensure we are always aware of emerging technologies.

The team are extremely proactive, efficient and helpful, ensuring that any issues which arise, however large or small, are dealt with promptly and always with a smile. Our regular support technician is extremely friendly, understands the needs of our school and our teachers’ expectations, and is technically brilliant. No issue has ever been too much for him to resolve, even if it materialises at the end of his allotted support visit. He is now part of our school family and is someone who is respected by both staff and pupils.

They have always been very competitively priced, with the added reassurance of supplying quality equipment, a professional installation and superb after sales support service. I have no hesitation in recommending Trusol for their outstanding service and professionalism.”

Tracey Cameron
School Business Manager