School ICT News Bulletin No. 313 - 15/06/2023 Published by ICT Solutions eBulletin Items IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Primary schools - Register for your free BBC micro:bits IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Broadband Update IMPORTANT INFORMATION: New ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available - June 20th, 2023 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google Classrooms - Transferring ownership of a class IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Cyber security - A reminder IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Schools Broadband Webinars - Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Primary schools - Register for your free BBC micro:bits The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that can be used to teach primary school children about coding. Currently, the BBC are offering 30 free of charge to primary schools. More details, and how to register, can be found here 2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Broadband Update All Schools/Academies/Trusts currently on the Capita network have now been provided with their quotes for Broadband from Rydal Communications and Schools Broadband. Both suppliers have offered to help with the Capita termination fees as follows: Rydal have advised that they will pay the termination fees upon receipt of proof of payment to Capita Schools Broadband have offered six months free of charge if a site signs up for a five-year contract, instead of a three-year contract Both suppliers have arranged webinars to show their service offering and give people the opportunity to ask questions. Rydal held a further session yesterday (copy available on request), with Schools Broadband hosting a further one next Wednesday (21^st). Regarding the Capita exit plan, it has been confirmed that 45 days notice needs to be given and the process is outlined here (see ‘How do I go about switching suppliers?’). On the same page we have also created a FAQs section, which you might find useful. Although next March may seem a long time away, with lead times for provisioning the services, guaranteeing networking resources, sign off from Governors and change freezes around Christmas time, you need to start preparing to move now. If you have any questions, please contact our Broadband project mailbox - educonnectivity@norfolk.gov.uk 3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: New ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available - June 20th, 2023 ICT Solutions, in partnership with Getech, are pleased to announce a new way for Education establishments to request quotes and procure ICT equipment via our new Purchasing Portal from Tuesday, June 20^th. Utilising Government Frameworks, this store has been put together to provide Education establishments with a trusted platform to purchase ICT Equipment and is managed by ICT Solutions (Norfolk County Council). The procurement framework enables direct award procurement and we have completed a full evaluation of products/pricing and have awarded the supply contract to Getech. An example of what the portal looks like can be viewed here To register for access, please click on the following link and then the ‘Register’ button - portal.getech.co.uk/ncc For any help or further advice regarding the new portal, please contact us via email - ictcontractsteam@norfolk.gov.uk 4. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google Classrooms - Transferring ownership of a class It is important to ensure that a current teacher with an active Google NSIX account is always the owner of your classes in Google Classroom. If the primary teacher/class owner leaves your school and their Google NSIX account is deleted, then it will no longer be possible to transfer ownership of that class to another current staff member. This means that no one will have full access to manage the class going forward and some class features will stop working. For this reason, it is important that you always know who owns your Google classes and include the transfer of Google classes into your staff leavers procedure. The following Google help page provides guidance on how to transfer ownership of a class to another teacher at your school - https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/7449476?hl=en For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 5. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Cyber security - A reminder Cyber security is even more important than ever right now as there have been a number of high-profile cyber incidents/attacks through phishing attacks at various educational establishments throughout the UK. Phishing is when attackers attempt to trick users into doing 'the wrong thing', such as clicking a bad link that will download malware, or direct them to a suspicious website. Phishing can be conducted via a text message, social media, or by phone, but the term 'phishing' is mainly used to describe attacks that arrive by email. Phishing emails can reach millions of users directly, and hide amongst the huge number of benign emails that busy users receive. Attacks can install malware (such as ransomware), sabotage systems, or steal intellectual property and money. We have also been asked to feedback from our colleagues in the NCC Audit team that some school users are still writing passwords and /or PINs with their cards for the BACS system together. This is not best practise and would be a red flag during any cyber audit carried out. A reminder regarding passwords from the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) can be found here 6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Schools Broadband Webinars - Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 Further to their webinars earlier this month, Schools Broadband have announced further webinars on Wednesday, June 21st for Schools/Academies. Details of the webinar and joining details are as follows: Choosing the Right Broadband Partner for Education Capita Updata is ceasing all connectivity, filtering & security services to schools by March 2024, meaning you will need to organise a replacement service. We know for some, organising the service transfer is a daunting prospect. Attending this webinar will prove invaluable, whoever you choose as your new provider. The webinar will cover: Your Broadband options Why Safeguarding & Security is at the Heart of what we do DfE and Prevent Duty compliant Safeguarding Platform to support DSLs How our customers are fully protected from DDoS attacks How we give you control to make web filtering changes Why we have faster response & resolution times How our high availability & redundant systems keep you connected 24/7/365 How we can support any Capita Updata early termination fees with up to 6 months free Answering any of your questions The lead time for a replacement service in some cases can take up to six months. Ensure you allow plenty of time when ordering to allow for a seamless transfer of service. Schools Broadband provides services to over 2000 schools and 275 Multi Academy Trusts and is one of the most respected specialist providers of services to education. Places are limited so please register early using the session links below: 10-11am session 2-3pm session For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

School ICT News Bulletin No. 313 - 15/06/2023

Published by ICT Solutions

eBulletin Items

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Primary schools - Register for your free BBC micro:bits
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Broadband Update
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: New ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available - June 20th, 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google Classrooms - Transferring ownership of a class
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Cyber security - A reminder
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Schools Broadband Webinars - Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Primary schools - Register for your free BBC micro:bits

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that can be used to teach primary school children about coding.

Currently, the BBC are offering 30 free of charge to primary schools. More details, and how to register, can be found here

2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Broadband Update

All Schools/Academies/Trusts currently on the Capita network have now been provided with their quotes for Broadband from Rydal Communications and Schools Broadband.

Both suppliers have offered to help with the Capita termination fees as follows:

Rydal have advised that they will pay the termination fees upon receipt of proof of payment to Capita

Schools Broadband have offered six months free of charge if a site signs up for a five-year contract, instead of a three-year contract

Both suppliers have arranged webinars to show their service offering and give people the opportunity to ask questions. Rydal held a further session yesterday (copy available on request), with Schools Broadband hosting a further one next Wednesday (21^st).

Regarding the Capita exit plan, it has been confirmed that 45 days notice needs to be given and the process is outlined here (see ‘How do I go about switching suppliers?’). On the same page we have also created a FAQs section, which you might find useful.

Although next March may seem a long time away, with lead times for provisioning the services, guaranteeing networking resources, sign off from Governors and change freezes around Christmas time, you need to start preparing to move now.

If you have any questions, please contact our Broadband project mailbox - educonnectivity@norfolk.gov.uk

3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: New ICT Equipment Purchasing Portal Available - June 20th, 2023

ICT Solutions, in partnership with Getech, are pleased to announce a new way for Education establishments to request quotes and procure ICT equipment via our new Purchasing Portal from Tuesday, June 20^th.

Utilising Government Frameworks, this store has been put together to provide Education establishments with a trusted platform to purchase ICT Equipment and is managed by ICT Solutions (Norfolk County Council). The procurement framework enables direct award procurement and we have completed a full evaluation of products/pricing and have awarded the supply contract to Getech.

An example of what the portal looks like can be viewed here

To register for access, please click on the following link and then the ‘Register’ button - portal.getech.co.uk/ncc

For any help or further advice regarding the new portal, please contact us via email - ictcontractsteam@norfolk.gov.uk

4. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google Classrooms - Transferring ownership of a class

It is important to ensure that a current teacher with an active Google NSIX account is always the owner of your classes in Google Classroom. If the primary teacher/class owner leaves your school and their Google NSIX account is deleted, then it will no longer be possible to transfer ownership of that class to another current staff member. This means that no one will have full access to manage the class going forward and some class features will stop working. For this reason, it is important that you always know who owns your Google classes and include the transfer of Google classes into your staff leavers procedure.

The following Google help page provides guidance on how to transfer ownership of a class to another teacher at your school - https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/7449476?hl=en

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

5. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Cyber security - A reminder

Cyber security is even more important than ever right now as there have been a number of high-profile cyber incidents/attacks through phishing attacks at various educational establishments throughout the UK.

Phishing is when attackers attempt to trick users into doing 'the wrong thing', such as clicking a bad link that will download malware, or direct them to a suspicious website.

Phishing can be conducted via a text message, social media, or by phone, but the term 'phishing' is mainly used to describe attacks that arrive by email. Phishing emails can reach millions of users directly, and hide amongst the huge number of benign emails that busy users receive. Attacks can install malware (such as ransomware), sabotage systems, or steal intellectual property and money.

We have also been asked to feedback from our colleagues in the NCC Audit team that some school users are still writing passwords and /or PINs with their cards for the BACS system together. This is not best practise and would be a red flag during any cyber audit carried out.

A reminder regarding passwords from the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) can be found here

6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Schools Broadband Webinars - Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Further to their webinars earlier this month, Schools Broadband have announced further webinars on Wednesday, June 21st for Schools/Academies.

Details of the webinar and joining details are as follows:

Choosing the Right Broadband Partner for Education

Capita Updata is ceasing all connectivity, filtering & security services to schools by March 2024, meaning you will need to organise a replacement service. We know for some, organising the service transfer is a daunting prospect. Attending this webinar will prove invaluable, whoever you choose as your new provider.

The webinar will cover:

Your Broadband options
Why Safeguarding & Security is at the Heart of what we do
DfE and Prevent Duty compliant Safeguarding Platform to support DSLs
How our customers are fully protected from DDoS attacks
How we give you control to make web filtering changes
Why we have faster response & resolution times
How our high availability & redundant systems keep you connected 24/7/365
How we can support any Capita Updata early termination fees with up to 6 months free
Answering any of your questions

The lead time for a replacement service in some cases can take up to six months. Ensure you allow plenty of time when ordering to allow for a seamless transfer of service. Schools Broadband provides services to over 2000 schools and 275 Multi Academy Trusts and is one of the most respected specialist providers of services to education.

Places are limited so please register early using the session links below: