Budgets that were already stretched are about to get a whole lot tighter, according to the latest figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

 Their findings estimate that the rising costs at state schools in England are likely to be greater than the growth in the funding received by the schools; with costs predicted to rise by circa 3.6% in 2025/6.

Therefore, with rising costs outpacing funding increases, schools and trusts must find smarter ways to maximise their resources. One solution could be centralising resources through a digital platform which will help a myriad of departments to help reduce costs, streamline operations and enhance security without compromising on quality or efficiency.

A simple solution to a complex challenge

Schools and trusts in the UK are plagued with a significant number of difficulties within their hallways – from pupil attainment to troubles with staff retention – making it almost easy to overlook a glaringly simple solution that can provide support to all departments within the organisation: centralising IT management.

The hidden complexities of IT management

Alongside the challenges already highlighted, there are even more when it comes to IT management that can make efficient operation difficult. 

It’s not uncommon for schools and trusts to struggle with managing multiple platforms and logins, which not only creates inefficiencies but also increases security risks with both staff and pupils navigating different systems with multiple passwords.

Throw in the added pressure from increasing IT costs due to software licensing models changing, and tech support that continue to place additional strain on already diluted budgets. In addition, there’s also a lack of visibility and control over digital resources which makes it somewhat difficult for schools to track usage, ensure compliance and optimise their IT investments.

How centralising IT management helps

To overcome these challenges, schools and trusts need to adopt a smarter, more streamlined approach – one that reduces complexity, cuts costs and enhances security. For example, some benefits of doing so include:

Cost savings

Centralising IT management helps to cut costs by reducing the need for multiple software subscriptions, minimises IT support expenses by using a single, unified system and also prevents duplicate purchases of tools by making it clear what tools are already available. In addition to saving both time and money, centralisation offers so much more when it comes to efficiency and security.

Improved efficiency and enhanced security

Centralisation removes time lost by both IT admin and teachers to cater to forgotten passwords with use of Single Sign-On (SSO) and QR code to make access a breeze for staff and pupils.

Other benefits that aid efficiency include automated updates and integrations to reduce workload, as well as an easier deployment and management of digital tools and resources across the school and trusts.

This level of automation not only saves time but also reduces the risk of outdated or unused accounts posing a security threat. Furthermore, centralisation affords peace of mind with platforms that can offer built-in security and data protection regulations, such as ISO and GDPR.

Introducing Skolon – The solution

Skolon provides a seamless, secure and cost-effective solution for schools and trusts to manage their digital tools and resources from one safe and secure platform. 

Our top priority is always our users, and making digital learning accessible to all as exemplified by surpassing our SLAs, with uptime of more than 99.98% for the past five years. This means that teachers and pupils have access to their tools anywhere, anytime, without having to remember different passwords, deal with IP locks or use specific devices. Furthermore, we’re trusted by schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and entire municipalities to simplify IT management, as exemplified in this case study.

Shrink to grow

With the ever rising costs and the chokehold inflation has on the UK at the moment, it goes without saying that schools and trusts need smarter solutions to manage their digital environments efficiently. A centralised platform will not only reduce expenses, but it’ll also increase transparency, streamline operations and enhance security – all while freeing up valuable time for both IT teams and educators. By adopting and integrating Skolon for your organisation, you can simplify access, improve resource management and future-proof the IT strategy at your school or trust.

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