Our next #FinnemoreFireside is with Ben McGowan, Head of IT and Digital at Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust and Simon Denham, a Procurement & Strategic Sourcing Specialist they worked with on their recent procurement of an MIS for the Trust.

I’ve known Ben for many years from his time at Scomis, and I was lucky enough to work with him at Capita for a short period. A couple of years ago he took up his current role leading the IT and digital strategy at Ted Wragg Trust so when the Trust was looking at MIS options back in 2022, I was delighted to be asked to give my thoughts on “the art of the possible” when it comes to planning for the future needs of the Trust and what MIS can help you achieve. It was there I met Simon Denham as Ted Wragg MAT had engaged him to advise on the procurement process to ensure it was thorough, compliant, and achieved the very best for the Trust and academies.

This fireside chat aims to share insights on procurement in the education sector, particularly regarding Management Information Systems (MIS), so if MIS procurement is your thing, or is on the horizon for your school(s), Trust or academies, then this conversation is for you.

In it, we discuss, amongst other things:

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Working with MIS

We’ve been lucky enough to have worked with most of the maintained MIS suppliers including SIMS (then owned by Capita), Arbor, IRIS Ed:gen, Pupil Asset, and, at the time of writing, working with Bromcom as they grow their user base across the UK.

We’ve recorded tons more #FinnemoreFireside chats on the topic of MIS with MATs, school leaders, support teams, suppliers and independent consultants which you can find here or subscribe to our You Tube channel for regular updates.

Other brilliant free, independent resources we’d recommend you take a look at include WhichMIS and BringMoreData. We also run a LinkedIn group ‘The Future of MIS’ which seeks to understand the new role of MIS in schools and explore what it will look like in the future – come and join the conversation 🙂

How suppliers are taking the stress out of data migration to ensure planned MIS switches don’t get derailed

If, like us, MIS is your thing then you’ll have recently seen the many posts and conversations regarding ESS’ new rules on the ways SIMS schools are allowed to migrate their data.

Even if you’re not an MIS user, you’ll likely have seen the news around it as one of ESS SIMS’ main competitors, Bromcom, has taken a serious stand in defence of its schools and the thousands of schools who plan to switch MIS in the future by pursuing the issue with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and also initiating injunction proceedings to halt ESS’ legal threats to schools, support centres and MIS suppliers regarding migration process. More on this below, but how did this all start?

What has changed when it comes to data migration?

In late December 2023, ESS SIMS suddenly announced you can no longer send a database backup file to your new MIS supplier when you want to switch systems.

ESS has set out their reasons for making this decision and there’s lots of detailed guidance on their website around what is and isn’t allowed, plus the approved migration methods left available to schools if they want to move.

Sending a database backup file has been industry standard practice for at least 10 years and has been used by schools, support teams and suppliers thousands of times to help ensure a smooth transition. Understandably, the whole sector is now trying to identify ways of ensuring schools can migrate their data in a way which is as safe and efficient as the industry-standard method.

Based on some of the conversations we had at Bett, there’s additional frustration amongst schools and support teams: following the CMA investigation into 3-year contracts and whether or not schools had been given enough notice, as part of their submission to the Adjudicator, ESS gave details around the process of switching MIS and included the example of data being copied across from a backup of the school’s SIMS database. So some people are surprised that ESS has now said this has only recently come to their attention, and are sad to learn that this method can no longer be used (this post by Chris Kirk has more info).

Are other data migration options available when it comes to moving away from SIMS to a new MIS?

In their documentation, ESS points to the permitted alternatives. We’ve heard from many schools on this and some of the challenges they’re finding with these methods include:

• There is key data which doesn’t transfer, and it can have serious consequences for the school and pupils (for example, SEND data)
• The API option exports data but not anything like the amount you’re able to get from a backup copy of a database/ .BAK files. Exporters also exist but they tell us that there is usually a cost attached to these and, again, the level of data exported doesn’t compare to the data in .BAK files.
• The methods take a lot longer and the schools don’t feel they have enough time. Schools are required to give ESS three months’ notice if they wish to leave so, for most schools following the traditional April – March contract periods, they will have been required to give notice in December to exit at the end of March. We’ve heard from schools who have real concerns that they’re now not going to be able to extract all of their data but that their access to the system will be terminated in three months (and taking a local backup so you can refer to it later has also been prevented). They tell us they simply don’t have the budget or staff to do it.
• One suggestion was that perhaps schools could run SQL scripts on their own SIMS database so the .BAK file would never need to go to a new supplier as part of the data migration. However, ESS guidelines mandate against writing programmes that interface directly with the database including the use of SQL scripting or other direct database access. The cloud MIS suppliers will undoubtedly have developed (or be in the process of developing) utilities which do just this to make their migrating schools’ lives easier, but the use of these has been prevented.

We’ve been looking to identify alternate ways which are equally as quick and migrate the same amount of data so we also asked the LinkedIn community for advice on this plus any useful resources (you can check out the whole thread here).   So far, nothing comparable to the database backup/ .BAK file method has come up yet but we will share anything we find.

How is this affecting schools?

The upshot of all this is that the migration process when moving away from SIMS is likely to now be more complicated, to the point where there’s a real danger that schools are opting not to move.  So, what can be done?

Bromcom has led the charge in acting to protect its switching schools in that, should ESS initiate any legal action against those schools, they have said that they as a company will apply to join the proceedings and will cover approved legal costs for those schools. They are encouraging schools to continue with the switching journey and are providing further reassurance as they’ve also said that, in the unlikely event that a damages payment to ESS materialises, they will take responsibility for this payment.

Arbor has followed suit and done something similar by creating a Switching Guarantee where they have said they will take legal responsibility when schools transfer data to them via backup file. It’s likely that the other MIS suppliers will also be putting plans in place to help schools migrate as safely and efficiently as possible. We spoke with them all in and around Bett, and making sure schools continue with their switching journey was a high priority for everyone (we’d recommend getting in touch with the suppliers directly for all the info).

Does this work both ways; will I have the same problem migrating AWAY from a cloud MIS in the future?

No, these problems are unlikely to exist if ever you choose to move away from your cloud MIS supplier as there is good, publicly available information on offboarding and end-of-contract processes for all cloud MIS listed on the G-cloud. Even if you don’t intend to use G-cloud to procure, it’s worth looking at the MIS profiles there for transparent information.

We’ve included links below to the main two challengers (these two suppliers also provide a complete copy of the database to schools when they move away) and you’ll be able to find this information for all solutions listed on the G-cloud as it is one of the required answers when submitting a listing.

Bromcom – https://www.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/745510438906746

Arbor – https://www.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/907086007758171

Where does this leave schools?

Ultimately, schools just want to exercise their right to their data and to select software of their choosing. There are still ways to migrate data out of SIMS and MIS suppliers are doing everything in their power to help schools with their move.

And if you do find yourself on the end of a legal challenge from ESS, the two biggest cloud MIS suppliers have made statements about how they will support schools.

Finally, in a major step, Bromcom is pursuing the issue with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and applying to the High Court for an injunction to halt what they consider to be anti-competitive behaviour by ESS. Their received legal advice is that schools are not in breach of contract by providing SIMS SQL backups so Bromcom is initiating injunction proceedings to halt ESS’ legal threats to schools, support centres and MIS suppliers regarding the migration process. Watch this space!

It will be interesting to see what happens next, but we really hope that schools don’t feel they can no longer proceed with their plans. If you’re in the process of switching or are considering switching in the future, definitely reach out to prospective new suppliers and ask them to talk you through the migration process. They will be more than willing to help 😊

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Working with MIS

We’ve been lucky enough to have worked with most of the maintained MIS suppliers including SIMS (then owned by Capita), Arbor, IRIS Ed:gen, Pupil Asset, and, at the time of writing, working with Bromcom as they grow their user base across the UK.

We’ve recorded tons more #FinnemoreFireside chats on the topic of MIS with MATs, school leaders, support teams, suppliers and independent consultants which you can find here or subscribe to our You Tube channel for regular updates.

Other brilliant free, independent resources we’d recommend you take a look at include WhichMIS and BringMoreData, We also run a LinkedIn group ‘The Future of MIS’ which seeks to understand the new role of MIS in schools and explore what it will look like in the future – come and join the conversation 🙂

We’ve been privileged to speak with even more edtech and industry thought leaders throughout 2023 as part of our #FinnemoreFireside chats, and the insight they continue to provide to us and our community is invaluable.

Thanks to Catherine Tallis of HFL Education, a long-standing provider of MIS support to schools, for discussing how support teams must adapt as the MIS market continues to evolve.

Thanks to Derek Hills from Ark for sharing your views on where you see AI fitting into technology budgets and the broader education landscape, and what the future of MIS might be.

It’s great to speak with thought leaders from government so thank you to Edtech NED, legislator, schools and education expert Jim Knight for your thoughts on the disconnect between the education and labour market, and the need for a school system which truly meets the needs of learners, communities and employers.

Thank you to Chris Kirk of CJK Associates Ltd for your insight into MAT’s needs in terms of vision, strategy, operating models and governance, and what this means for suppliers – both now and in the future.

Our chat with Lyndon Stickley and Sam Curtis of iplicit is essential listening for everyone with an interest in finance as they discuss the importance of change in the education sector and the need for flexibility and adaptability in finance and management systems

Thank you to Ollie Burnett from the school support team in Coventry for talking to us about all the valuable ways they support their schools, including helping them procure and migrate to their new MIS as a group earlier this year.

Finally, we were delighted to speak with Izzi Dorrian and Ed Butcher, founders of the brilliant Habitude workflow platform, for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of MATs, the importance of infrastructure, and the need for a clear vision.

As always, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed making the series and are looking forward to a fantastic 2024!

Have a great Christmas break

Best wishes from Sarah & Nick

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Management Information Systems are the backbone of educational institutions, helping them to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and enhance overall efficiency. In the past, MIS was primarily about data storage and reporting, but it has since evolved into a multifaceted ecosystem. Today, MIS encompasses a wide array of functions, including student information management, financial administration, communication, parental engagement, analytics, and supporting the school development plan.

Last week, over 250 of you brilliant people participated in our online MIS Discovery Sessions, thank you so much for supporting our events. Everyone from MIS managers and finance officers, to support partners and headteachers attended – there’s just so much interest in what’s possible in the world of MIS right now.

The Ever-Evolving World of MIS

One of the key reasons for MIS’s continuous evolution is its adaptability to changing educational needs. As technology advances and educational methodologies evolve, MIS systems have had to keep pace. This adaptability is essential in helping educational institutions meet the ever-changing demands of students, parents, and regulatory bodies.

Looking Ahead

The world of MIS is poised for even more exciting developments in the future. With advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing, MIS will continue to transform the way educational institutions operate. It will empower educators and leaders to make data-driven decisions, personalize learning experiences, and improve overall educational outcomes.

Engaging in the World of MIS

Nick and I have both worked in this area for over 20 years now and love how it continues to innovate – as it should! If MIS is your thing then you can:

1. Join our ‘Future of MIS’ LinkedIn Group: Our online community, ‘Future of MIS,’ on LinkedIn is a hub for like-minded individuals. Here, we share insights, discuss trends, and connect with professionals who share your passion for MIS. Join us here.

2. Access Discovery Session Recordings: In our recent MIS Discovery Sessions, we had the privilege of hearing from industry leaders Bromcom, Arbor Education, and IRIS Education. These sessions are a treasure trove of knowledge, and you can access the recordings to gain valuable insights into the latest developments in MIS:

Bromcom MIS Discovery Session

Arbor MIS Discovery Session

IRIS Ed:gen MIS Discovery Session

3. Explore Our #FinnemoreFireside Chats: We’ve had the privilege of sitting down with edtech and MIS thought leaders to discuss the future of MIS in education. These insightful conversations are available on our blog, offering you a chance to hear from experts in the field. Explore our Fireside Chats here.

There’s been a huge amount of change in the school MIS sector in the last 5 years. The make-up of MIS market share is completely turning on its head, and the landscape continues to move towards one where academisation dominates and the number of maintained schools gets smaller each year.

It can feel like a scary time for a lot of teams; over the years some have ceased to exist as they just weren’t sustainable for their local authorities. Others have grown and gotten stronger, sometimes joining up with neighbouring teams or striking out on their own as separate commercial entities. The school support market continues to be an exciting market with lots of opportunities – something many private equity companies can see as they acquire in this sector.

We’re often asked what’s next for support teams, so in this blog, we’ve outlined what to avoid and what to try and focus on instead.

While it may not be possible to make all these changes immediately, it’s worth having a plan for what the edtech and school management landscape might look like in 3-5 years’ time. What will your value and unique offer be as a team? Will your revenue be dependent on certain suppliers and, if so, what are the potential consequences?  Owning your own destiny is about ensuring your revenue is not tied to suppliers, but instead to all the value your offer outside of product support.

Try not to be too dependent on financial incentives that come from suppliers for signing your schools up to their products.

Being able to achieve revenue from school management suppliers via favourable licence deals, rebates and referral fees has been the traditional model for some time. However, it’s a risky strategy for support teams in the future:

• They can be pulled very easily by the supplier once you’ve got all your schools on their product – many support teams will likely have experienced something like this. Incentives provide a revenue stream in the short term, but it can easily be threatened.

• A big part of your uniqueness and value as a Support Team is that you’re independent and trusted, but this standpoint can be challenged on ethical grounds if you suggest one solution above all others based on financial kickbacks/incentives.

• Being a support partner for solutions can often result in a financial rebate from the supplier (in the case of MIS this is usually around 20% of the annual subscription price for all those with support partner programmes in place) but what happens if this arrangement is pulled in the future? What you offer schools is far more than just product support. You support the processes, not the products, and your SLAs and services can really focus on the additional value you provide over and above user support in a way that supplier SLAs cannot.

So how will you adapt your team and your business to be a truly agnostic and independent partner to your schools? Here are our ideas:

1. Continue to advocate on behalf of your schools and seek the best value for them.

As a support team, you are still your schools’ no. 1 point of contact for most things and will often have a close relationship with them spanning many years (or even decades!). This is so important to schools; these strong relationships are built on trust and there are many ways you can ensure their best interests are at the centre of what you do:

• Helping coordinate aggregated purchases means you can access discounts for your schools which can be passed back directly to the schools, ensuring they get the best value.

• Being the provider of support for those solutions means you can offer an enhanced SLA to schools which is much more than just product support; it helps them use the solution as part of their overall SDP which provides them with far better value.

• Support teams are able to help schools navigate the procurement process which might feel daunting for schools on an individual level. Helping your schools through a well-thought-out procurement process can make a huge difference to them—both financially, by releasing cashable savings, and by maximizing social benefits for your schools and the wider community.

2. Look for more ways to add value, new ways to help your schools and create additional partnerships.

It’s hard to survive as a team if you only offer IT support, even harder if your support is limited solely to MIS. There are tons of technology-enabled systems and services required by schools and only a fraction of these is usually delivered within an MIS (see below):

Original image courtesy of Chris Kirk, CJK Associates

Consider:

• Are there other staff-related areas you could support such as HR or payroll? If so, have you considered a partnership with an excellent software solution such as Fusion/SAM People?

• Are there other operational school management areas you could support such as safety and compliance? Have you considered creating a channel partnership with a supplier such as iAM Compliant to add value for your schools?

• Could the range of school management-related services be extended if you were to work in partnership with other support teams across the country? We’re seeing more and more teams work together in order to be able to deliver a personalised service to their local schools, but also to the MATs they support which often span the width and breadth of the UK. Teams such as OSMIS and SCOMIS do just this to provide an exceptional level of support to their schools and help them use their MIS to truly improve outcomes.

• Could you elevate your conversations to truly understand the pain Heads and MAT leaders experience and support their School Development Plan or the MAT strategic plan? This could be through getting the best out of technology, becoming more sustainable, reducing the cost of ownership, automating processes, getting more out of the data – the list goes on.

Support Teams offer so much to schools, academies and Trusts in the way that they help reduce friction for them. You can do everything from uncovering awareness of needs, understanding their portfolio of all solutions and making recommendations and driving usage, to helping the procurement process, supporting transitioning and onboarding, ensuring MATs/schools are getting the greatest value from the solution and supporting schools to hit their climate and net-zero targets.

Owning your own destiny is about ensuring the revenue you generate is in your hands, not the hands of product suppliers. There are tons of brilliant ideas out there which will help make it a possibility; in this blog, we’ve listed just a few but we’re always happy to share best practices so get in touch if you’d like to discuss.

We’ve been privileged to speak with even more industry thought leaders this academic year as part of our #FinnemoreFireside chats, and the insight they provide us and our community is invaluable.

So thank you to Edtech NED, legislator, schools and education expert Jim Knight for your thoughts on the disconnect between the education and labour market, and the need for a school system which truly meets the needs of learners, communities and employers.

Thanks to Derek Hills from Ark for sharing your views on where you see AI fitting into technology budgets and the broader education landscape, and what the future of MIS might be.

Thank you Matt Woodruff for an insightful conversation about how technology can support more effective decision-making at all levels to improve outcomes and identify ways to be able to ‘do more, with less’ – more important than ever in today’s economic climate.

Thanks to Catherine Tallis of HFL Education, a long-standing provider of MIS support to schools, for discussing the ways in which support teams must adapt as the MIS market continues to evolve.

Thank you to Chris Kirk of CJK Associates Ltd for your insight into MAT’s needs in terms of vision, strategy, operating models and governance, and what this means for suppliers – both now and in the future.

And finally, we were delighted to welcome back Martin Baker of The Safeguarding Company for a follow-up chat about the lessons that can be learnt from the Child Q case. A challenging topic and we really appreciate you sharing your experience.

Nick and I have thoroughly enjoyed making the series and already have a great session ready to go in the new term from Lyndon Stickley and Sam Curtis at iplicit. Ollie Burnett from the school support team in Coventry will also be joining us to talk about all the valuable ways they support their schools, including helping them procure and migrate to their new MIS Bromcom as a group earlier this year. Watch this space!

Have a great summer break everyone 🌞

Did you know that schools in England collectively spend a staggering £10+ billion annually on non-staffing costs?

It’s one of the reasons why effective procurement is absolutely critical, but the idea of going to tender for edtech and school management software can feel pretty daunting. However, there’s no reason why it should be complicated and there are actually some brilliant benefits to testing the market and running a formal procurement for the solutions used by your school.

Here are our top three reasons why running a procurement is a good thing:

1. Savings and Efficiency

Going out to procurement means you can benefit from economies of scale which might not be currently available to you with an existing supplier or arrangement. For example, if you’re part of a Trust, engaging with the same supplier as other academies in your MAT but doing it separately isn’t the most efficient approach. By consolidating your spending as a Trust you immediately gain better buying power and secure better deals.

Similarly, aggregating your purchasing decision as a group of schools within an LA means you can also benefit from acting as a group. In many cases, your LA support team will be able to help negotiate a discount for the group of schools while still allowing you all to purchase your own licences (Support Teams are also brilliant at helping schools manage implementations, migrate data and co-ordinate training so we’d recommend asking your local Support team for advice when planning any move or procurement).

It’s also important to remember that efficiency is key. Going out to procurement and then using a Dynamic Purchasing System or Framework offers access to pre-vetted supply chains and can significantly reduce timescales compared to traditional procurement processes.

For software and infrastructure, good options include:

• Crown Commercial Services (CCS)/G-cloud https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM1557.13#products
• Everything ICT https://www.everythingict.org/

When it comes to school management information systems (MIS), there are more options available, many created by or in conjunction with school support teams. For example:

• NYES Digital (North Yorks framework) https://nyes.digital/mis/mis-framework/
• The ICT Service https://theictservice.org.uk/management-information-services/

For devices, especially climate-friendly and budget-friendly options such as reconditioned laptops, etc. ScoStore is a brilliant tool https://portal.getech.co.uk/ScoStore

For more general school purchasing try ESPO https://www.espo.org/ and YPO (Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation) https://www.ypo.co.uk/

2. Compliance

Compliance essentially involves following internal financial rules and statutory requirements when spending public money (and, in the case of MATs, the Academy Trust handbook). Failing to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal treatment of all suppliers—especially if you’re engaging with existing suppliers—can inadvertently lead to legal challenges. We’ve seen legal action taken in the MIS sector (for example, Bromcom recently won its case against ULT re. fair and best practice in education procurement) so really can’t emphasise enough the importance of avoiding such pitfalls. The risks include costs, time burdens, reputational damage, and potential fines and legal action in serious cases.

Compliance involves adhering to the legal framework known as Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015) but it shouldn’t be something to fear. You can mitigate these risks by adopting a robust approach to your procurement exercise, and being able to make use of frameworks helps a great deal. Frameworks and DPS provide compliant pathways to procure goods and services so they should always be considered as an option.

3. Improving Outcomes

A procurement exercise is not solely about getting the best price. It’s about understanding your requirements and identifying the best solutions that meet your needs while balancing price, and ultimately delivering greater outcomes for your school or MAT. A well-thought-out procurement process can make a huge difference—both financially, by releasing cashable savings, and by maximizing social benefits for your school, Trust, and the wider community.

When looking at new solutions or replacing an existing legacy system, also ask yourself the following:

• How does the contract benefit your staff, students, and community through service delivery and by accessing the knowledge and expertise of suppliers?
• What are you hoping to achieve and what would truly benefit your schools or MAT?
• Will this add value and make a remarkable impact?
• How will this partnership support the SIP (School Improvement Plan) or the MAT’s overall strategies? For example sustainability, pupil safeguarding, pupil progress, financial security

Summary

While the prospect of engaging in tender processes for edtech and school management software might seem daunting, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. By exploring the market and running a formal procurement, schools can unlock a world of opportunities that lead to significant savings and enhanced compliance.

On the back of a LOT of requests from schools, academies, partners and MATS, this September we were pleased to independently host a series of MIS Discovery Sessions.

Who were the Sessions for?

What did the Discovery Sessions cover?

Bromcom MIS Discovery Session

Arbor MIS Discovery Session

IRIS Ed:gen MIS Discovery Session

Last week we joined MATs, LAs and the Bromcom team for an exciting day of learning, networking, and inspiration at the annual Bromcom Shard Event. There was a great lineup of expert speakers and engaging workshops; here are 7 things we learnt at last week’s event:

1. There is still a huge appetite from schools to participate in an aggregated MIS purchase, and there were some brilliant stories from LA Support Teams who helped make this happen for their schools.

2. MAT and school leaders want data that can help them make informed decisions, not just on attendance and academic performance, but on areas such as:

• Financial performance
• Operational efficiency
• Culture
• Staffing & HR

3.  Support Teams are increasingly looking to support multiple MIS so they can meet the needs of their schools, irrespective of which MIS they use – they support the process, not the product. It’s a positive step for everyone as the relationship between schools and local support is a close one, it’s something schools usually want to continue.

4. Using AI alongside MIS data can and will make a difference to schools . . . but it really does need to be handled with care when it comes to users understanding children’s data. It’s an interesting conversation

5. Academies and MATs have often led the charge in moving to a new MIS as they’ve tended to go to market and look for new cost-effective, innovative cloud solutions shortly after academisation. However, the rate of switching MIS amongst state schools has also accelerated and actually shows signs of increasing if anything! In 2018 77% of state schools used the then-dominant supplier SIMS, this has now fallen to 55% in 2023 (it will be interesting to see what the next census data shows).

6. A huge priority for MATs when they look to test the MIS market is understanding all the separate products and subscriptions they currently buy in to which they potentially wouldn’t need when they switch MIS. Across a MAT the savings really do stack up and can be used to fund staff or be reinvested in teaching and learning.

7. Strong professional relationships and great customer support are everything in our sector. It was great to hear so many individuals praised as we heard about the various journeys MATs, LAs and schools had been on switching MIS.

There’s definitely plenty of change going on across the sector and it’s clear that MATs and LAs want the very best solutions for their schools – both in terms of value and outcomes. It will be interesting to see what happens next!

Thanks again for the invite, Nick loved presenting a session and we enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues 🙂

We’re kicking off the summer term with our next #FinnemoreFireside, this time with Derek Hills,  Director of IT, Systems and Data at Ark, a charity and network of 39 schools that aims to transform children’s lives through education.

Derek has a wealth of experience leading first-class Data and IT teams, having previously worked with other MATs including Harris Federation and David Ross Education Trust before taking up his role at Ark. He knows the MIS landscape well and we had an interesting chat about what the future of MIS might be, including topics such as:

• Where does Derek’s passion for data and analytics come from, and why does he love working in education?
• What can be achieved by sharing data, info and best practice
• Where he sees AI fitting into technology budgets and the broader education landscape
• Are schools getting enough out of their edtech and systems, and are they utilising it effectively?
• Consolidating solutions means investment can go into teaching, but what are the challenges around open data policies?
• The importance of working in partnership with suppliers and forming long-lasting relationships
• What Derek would like to see more of from edtech companies