Recent Department for Education research reveals a stark reality about the state of school technology across England. According to the government’s own Technology in Schools Survey 2022-23, involving nearly 2,000 schools, significant gaps remain in digital infrastructure and strategic planning that leave many schools vulnerable.
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The Digital Strategy Gap
Only 55% of primary schools have a digital technology strategy in place, with secondary schools faring better at 68%. This means nearly half of primary schools are making technology decisions without a strategic framework – a bit like trying to navigate without a map.
Even more concerning, when digital strategies do exist, many teachers feel disconnected from them. Just 33% of teachers say their school provides opportunities to feedback on technology use, and only 31% feel engaged in the planning process.
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Tech Realities That Keep SLT Awake at Night
The survey data reveals the infrastructure challenges many of you are facing daily:
- Only 16% of IT leaders say their school meets all current digital and technology standards
- 53% of school leaders admit Wi-Fi connectivity is a barrier to technology uptake
- 46% of leaders identify broadband connectivity as an ongoing issue
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The True Cost of Reactive IT
Here’s what really worries us…
Schools experiencing these connectivity and infrastructure issues are operating in constant firefighting mode. When your morning registration crashes because the server’s having a bad day, or your interactive whiteboard decides to take a break during an OFSTED observation, you’re not just dealing with inconvenience – you’re dealing with lost learning time and increased stress for everyone.
The DfE survey data reveals the financial and operational impact of digital unreadiness:
➡️ Budget Barriers Are Universal
- 96% of school leaders claim budgetary constraints are a barrier to technology uptake
- 93% of leaders identify the high cost of technology as a significant issue
- 68% of leaders say lack of time for staff training limits technology adoption
➡️ Workload Impact Is Significant
The survey found mixed results on technology’s impact on workload:
- Only 44% of leaders believe technology has reduced staff workload over the last three years
- Just 30% of teachers feel technology has reduced their workload
- 23% of teachers actually report technology has increased their workload
This suggests that poorly planned technology implementation can make things worse, not better.
➡️ The Cyber Security Reality
Recent government cyber security surveys also show that schools are facing significant digital threats:
- 62% of IT leaders report staff receiving fraudulent emails in the previous year
- 23% of schools report being impersonated in emails or online
- 19% of schools experienced computers infected with viruses or malware
Schools without proper digital strategies are even more vulnerable to these threats.
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Why Your “Digital Future” Isn’t Just About Having Devices
We’ve visited hundreds of schools across the country, and we’ve seen the pattern time and again, schools that think they’re “digitally ready” because they’ve got tablets and laptops, but then struggle with the strategic implementation that actually transforms education.
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The Four Pillars Missing From Most School Technology
- Strategic Vision Without Clear Implementation Many schools develop digital strategies but struggle to translate them into actionable plans. The survey shows that whilst 68% of secondary schools have digital strategies, only 30% of teachers feel their school monitors technology effectiveness in classrooms.
- Infrastructure That’s “Good Enough” Rather Than Future-Ready Schools often patch existing systems rather than building scalable infrastructure. This works until it doesn’t – usually at the worst possible moment.
- Support That’s Reactive Rather Than Proactive Traditional IT support waits for things to break. Modern schools need systems that predict and prevent issues before they impact learning.
- Sustainability Overlooked in Planning With energy costs spiralling and environmental responsibilities growing, schools need technology solutions that reduce rather than increase operational costs.
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A Different Approach: Learning from Schools Getting IT Right
Let us share a story that shows what’s possible when schools take a strategic approach to digital transformation.
Oldershaw School in Merseyside faced the challenge many of you know well…
Aging infrastructure, reliability issues, and the constant worry about whether systems would work when needed most. Their old network was causing daily frustrations – dropped connections, slow performance, and the kind of technical problems that disrupt learning and increase everyone’s stress levels.
Instead of applying quick fixes, Oldershaw School took a strategic approach. Working with Dataspire, they implemented a complete digital transformation using our Digital Futures Framework.
And the results speak for themselves:
- Network reliability improved dramatically
- Staff confidence in technology increased significantly
- Learning disruption from IT issues virtually eliminated
- Long-term cost savings through energy-efficient infrastructure
What made the difference? They moved from reactive problem-solving to strategic digital planning.
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Why the DfE’s £45m Investment Matters (And How to Make Sure You Benefit)
The government has committed £45m to help schools upgrade their connectivity to meet new digital standards. This is recognition that digital infrastructure is fundamental to modern education. But funding alone isn’t enough – schools need strategic implementation to maximise this investment.
The Six Core Standards Every School Should Meet by 2030
The DfE has set clear standards that all schools should achieve:
- Leadership and strategy for digital transformation
- Reliable connectivity throughout the school
- Robust infrastructure that scales with your needs
- Effective online safety and security protecting students and data
- Capable workforce confident with technology
- Sustainable technology that reduces environmental impact
Currently, only 16% of schools meet all these standards. That’s a significant opportunity for improvement.
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ONE Solution: Strategic Digital Transformation
We’re currently working with schools and trusts to address the challenges revealed in the government’s research. It’s not just about providing technology – it’s about strategic digital transformation that prepares schools for the future. We partner with schools to do this through our Digital Futures Framework:
Most Importantly, You’re Not Alone
If your school is among the majority still working towards digital readiness, you’re not alone. The government’s own data shows this is a sector-wide challenge, not a reflection on individual schools’ capabilities.
But here’s what we’ve learned from working with hundreds of schools, the schools that are thriving aren’t necessarily those with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones that have taken a strategic approach to digital transformation.
The Questions Every School Leader Should Ask
- Do we have a clear digital strategy that our teachers understand and engage with?
- Does our infrastructure meet the government’s 2030 standards?
- Are we proactive or reactive in our approach to IT support?
- Is our technology reducing or increasing staff workload?
- Are we prepared for the cybersecurity threats facing schools?
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Your Next Steps
The path to digital readiness doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with understanding where you are, then create a strategic plan to get where you need to be.
At Dataspire, we’ve been supporting schools with digital transformation for over 20 years. We’ve delivered 117+ projects with the Department for Education, and we understand both the challenges you face and the solutions that work.
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Ready to Assess Your School’s Digital Future?
We’ve created a Future-Ready Digital Assessment that helps you evaluate your current digital maturity against the government’s standards and your school’s specific needs. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and provides you with a clear picture of your current digital readiness.
[Take the Future-Ready Digital Assessment]
Or if you’d prefer to discuss your school’s specific challenges, we’re here to help. We offer free digital analysis workshops where we can review your current situation and provide initial recommendations with no obligation.
Book a free session with us to understand:
- Your current digital position
- Specific recommendations for improvement
- Alignment with DfE digital standards
- Budget-conscious prioritisation of next steps
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Get in Touch
The future of education is digital, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right strategic approach, your school can move from digital uncertainty to digital confidence. And when that happens, everyone wins – teachers, students, and the whole school community. So, if you need help preparing for your school’s digital future, our team of experts will be happy to help.
Simply complete the form below and we will be in touch to discuss your needs.
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