School ICT News Bulletin No. 179 - 01/04/2011

Published by Children’s Services

Services to Schools 2011/12

Capita SIMS – Don’t forget..................

You are able to choose a five year fixed price contract for SIMS when completing the “Contract to Purchase” form.

However annual contracts are still available but without any guarantee on future year price levels.

Author: Jo North

SCHOOL MI SHEET – GOOGLE VLE PILOT

Introduction

You will be aware from MI 68/11  Management Information Sheet Search that the centrally funded Norfolk County Council contract that enables your school to use the Netmedia Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will cease at the end of August 2011 and that it is not possible to renew the contract. The position in relation to VLE funding is set out in MI 33/11  Management Information Sheet Search

Google VLE

ICT Shared Services is using Google Apps to provide simple to use, secure and supported VLE functionality for those primary and special schools who do not wish to use Fronter. The Google VLE will ensure that access to content, including Espresso, is delivered. Support during implementation will be provided for those schools who require it. Members of our Locality Teams (groups of ICT Shared Services’ staff that focus on a particular geographical area or cluster of schools) will be trained in the Google VLE, so they are able to support schools to obtain greater benefits. The Google VLE will be developed over time.

Please tell us now if you are considering using the Google VLE

To assist our planning, we need schools to tell us now if they:

• Definitely want to use the Google VLE
• Might want to use the Google VLE

Please email your response to jo.north@norfolk.gov.uk and provide your school details including the name of the person you would like us to contact regarding the Google VLE. We would be grateful to receive your response by 16:00 Friday 8^th April 2011 please.

Some schools have already seen a demonstration of the Google VLE as they have been working on it with ICT Shared Services or they attended surgeries at last week’s ICT Conference. There will be further demonstrations at the next set of school consultation workshops which will be held in May 2011.

Please tell us now if your school would like to pilot the Google VLE

We will be piloting the Google VLE in a number of primary and special schools during May 2011. If your school would like to take part in the Google VLE Pilot please email kurt.frary@norfolk.gov.uk or phone 01603 223856 by 16:00 Friday 8^th April 2011.

Author: Jo North

ICT Services to Schools Project Invitation to Schools Workshops No.3

Thank you to all schools’ staff who attended the School Workshops held in November and January to discuss the ICT requirements specific to Norfolk’s schools – a summary of key messages from attendees at these workshops can be found at: ICT Services - School Workshops.

As promised, we have arranged a third series of School Workshops to take place in May 2011 to have more detailed discussions on specific service areas that are important to schools. Please attend one of the workshop days listed below for either the morning or afternoon session or for both sessions if you are able.

As before, the workshops are suitable for Head Teachers, Staff involved in leadership and management of ICT, Teaching and non–teaching staff.

The dates and venues are:

To book a place on a workshop session please e–mail jo.north@norfolk.gov.uk with your preferred date and any dietary requirements. We look forward to seeing you on the day.

For further information on the Project, please visit ICT Services.

Author: Jo North

Silver Plus Support Contract for 2011-12

ICT Solutions is merging with Norfolk County Council’s ICT Services to form ICT Shared Services in 2011 (this is being achieved via the ICT Services for Schools Project). 2011/12 services to schools will be delivered by ICT Shared Services (and as published in the Services to Schools brochure).

Added Value of the Silver Plus contract

In addition to your dedicated Field Support Technician, Silver Plus contracts include the following value added elements to maximise the availability of your systems for teaching and learning:

• Unlimited Symantec Anti Virus Licences for the year, this equates to a cost of £2.99 per Personal Computer in your school.
• Unlimited Remote Support – there is no need to wait for your Field Support Technician’s next visit, just call our Service Desk and, with your approval, our specialist staff can remotely solve your problems (or, alternatively, schedule an engineer visit at no extra cost).
• Unlimited Engineer visits are covered by the Silver Plus contract so if you have a problem you don’t have to wait until your Technician’s next visit, just call our Service Desk.
• Inclusive Installation of Hardware and software by your Field Support Technician to the value of 5 person days in line with the FST skill set.
• Unlimited Recycling of ICT Equipment which meets your responsibility to WEEE Directives.
• Inclusive Multimedia Projector Preventative Maintenance for all data projectors in your school.
• Inclusive Microsoft Windows updates automatically sent to your school to protect your systems from malicious attacks.
• Inclusive Managed Anti Virus patch updates to ensure that PCs on your network have the latest version of software so are protected from external security threats.
• Flexible options available – Field Support Technician options available from half day per month, half day per week, half day per fortnight or 1 day per week. New for 2011 half day per month option now available for schools with up to 150 pupils.
• Discounts given to schools with Norfolk’s Management Information System – Capita SIMS and an ICT Shared Services contract.

For more information

Please see the Services to Schools Brochure on the Norfolk Schools’ web site at http://www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/page_89.cfm or contact the ICT Solutions’ Service Desk on 0845 303 3003.

Author: Lynn Parvin