The school’s ICT technician, Garry Coulson, explains: “Our old network was not much good. It never worked properly and although teachers would try to use ICT in their lessons, it invariably failed. Eventually they stopped planning to use it because there were constantly being left with a gap and having to think on their feet to keep the pupils busy.”
 

Fortunately for Woodston staff, ICT is no longer an issue since the school brought in new equipment and a networked solution from IT provider XMA. During a major refit, XMA engineers set up new computers and laptops throughout the school and linked them via a wireless network managed through Ranger software.
 

Coulson says: “We now have an ICT room with 16 computers linked to a server. We also have five laptops for each classroom to use which connect to our wireless network and a laptop trolley with 16 additional laptops that can be moved around the school. If a teacher wants to use ICT in their lesson they can come to the ICT room or use laptops in their classroom.”
 

A truly reliable resource
According to Coulson, all the ICT equipment currently used by the school, with the exception of its interactive whiteboards, has been provided by XMA.
T
hanks to the quality of the solution, teachers have also begun to accept that they have a reliable ICT resource available.

Coulson says: “Our staff can now start to use ICT properly because the technology is reliable. We now have an all-singing-and-dancing server and 16 computers which teachers now know are always going to be working. Teachers also have new laptops and the children have access to computer facilities in their own classrooms.”

“It’s an ongoing and slow process to convince staff that our previous equipment problems have been ironed out and that our new solution is so reliable. However, we are slowly doing that and we intend to build up our use of ICT from this – fortunately, we have a very strong platform to build on.”

Coulson says XMA was his preferred supplier from the outset. He explains: “The XMA account manager came in for a few meetings and we went from there. The entire process has been carried out very smoothly. The engineers were installing so quickly I couldn’t keep track of everything.”
 

Support for the school
The school also relies on XMA’s support services to maintain their network and keep it running without any glitches. Unsurprisingly, Coulson says, like any ICT installation, there were some initial teething problems. However, he believes these were managed well by XMA staff. He adds: “We had our fair share of problems to start with but on the whole XMA’s support staff were very competent and very good.
 

“They’ve managed to solve most issues almost straightaway. I just phone up anytime I need to, speak to an engineer immediately and they give me the solution. Nine times out of ten that works. I can’t fault the support desk, they bend over backwards to try and find resolutions to the issues I present them with.”
 

Confidence in a trustworthy partner
The school does not have any firm plans to expand its ICT solution but Coulson does not rule out further technology investments. He says: “With ICT you never come to the end of the project. As soon as you have a solution fitted it’s obsolete.”
 

However, he believes the school will return to XMA for further services thanks to a real confidence in the company and its team. He says: “I would rather go through XMA in the future. Our system seems to be working fine and I’ve got great confidence in the support team.”