So how can schools help to save the planet?
Well, you could start by making eco-friendly choices throughout school procurement and high up on that list will be your technology. Combining this with best practice and education around climate change will positively impact your establishment’s carbon footprint as the need to ‘go green’ is greater than ever.
Among recent obvious challenges, climate change is one of the most complex, and many organisations would like to take action but have no idea where to start. It also doesn’t help that schools and academies have seen hikes of up to 587% in recent energy bills* which is another huge motivator to finding ways to reduce energy use.
We recently spoke to a school that had received their new energy bill and had seen an increase of £6,000!
Clearly, this will mean consequences for school budgets overall and a detrimental impact on the funds available for teaching and learning.
The protests of young people and majorly inflated energy bills are driving schools to take note, so right now is the time to begin the relationship between education and the environment, and setting eco goals.
Why is Dataspire (an IT company) talking about this?
A key solution to reducing your carbon footprint is the use of Cloud services.
By moving to the cloud, schools can keep their finger on the innovation pulse, adapt to the demands of remote/hybrid/blended learning, equip students with necessary future life skills, all while simultaneously cutting costs. But that’s not all…
Cloud services benefit the environment.
Switching your school’s IT operations to the Cloud significantly lowers carbon emissions and electricity consumption, which are mostly generated through heating, cooling and powering hardware.
Basically, Cloud solutions create a positive domino effect by removing inefficiencies, reducing the impact of energy-hungry utilities, using more energy-efficient equipment, and producing fewer carbon emissions. So while this all seems like complicated work, switching to a Cloud-based ecosystem is a great start for your students, your school budget and the environment.
How does a school move to the cloud?
The good news is that the gap between good intentions and taking action is fairly easy to bridge and that’s where the Dataspire Cloud Accelerator comes in.
The Dataspire Cloud Accelerator is a solution designed specifically for education that will take you step-by-step through moving your school to the Cloud. From understanding your requirements and their implementation through to training and support, we’ve done all the groundwork so that you don’t have to.
Because we work closely with the DfE, our solutions are always aligned with their specifications for education and so, with the Government legislating a target to slash carbon emissions by 78% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2035, we are helping schools to meet these targets through the effective implementation of our Cloud Accelerator Programme.
As a carbon-neutral organisation, we know exactly what it takes to harness technology for sustainability and scalability, and are already working with a number of schools to meet the DfE’s energy-saving targets.
What’s included in the Dataspire Cloud Accelerator?
As well as helping your school efficiently migrate your servers, software and systems into the Cloud, the Dataspire Cloud Accelerator will help you to reduce your establishment’s carbon impact on the environment.
- We will help you to access the benefits of becoming a serverless site by conducting a thorough business case. This would include an examination of your energy utilisation for ICT elements, coupled with an analysis of overheads and refresh estimates. Ultimately, demonstrating the net savings that the Cloud can bring.
- Working with Positive Planet, we can produce a summary report. The report would include a full school carbon reduction plan helping you understand your carbon footprint and enabling you to make brave, data-led decisions.
- We can also offer data shredding and erasure services. As an ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials accredited organisation, we work with local and national charities to save redundant IT equipment from being sent to landfill, ensuring that any usable devices are securely data-wiped before being sent to people in digital poverty. We also partner with technology suppliers who can give you cashback on old devices to reinvest in new and more efficient devices.
- We also offer schools Carbon Literacy Training and Certification covering climate change, carbon footprints, how you can help, and why it’s relevant to your school/Trust, your staff, and your students.
Expert Advice
Our team comprises of specialists who can provide advice and guidance on how to transform the use and future development of your Cloud infrastructure. These include educationalists who can deliver tailored training and CPD to both staff and students. For example, helping to optimise the educational benefits of using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for Education.
We also work with consultants who are currently advising the DfE in their GenZero strategy. Their expertise and knowledge can bring your establishment towards meeting these ambitious targets, including new OFSTED inspection criteria for carbon reduction.
Are you ready to make a difference?
We’re certain that you were already aware of the benefits available to education through the Cloud and we’re also certain that the only thing holding you back, is the lack of guidance and/or a blueprint to set these wheels in motion.
And that’s where we can help!
Why don’t you get in touch to discuss your options? The team will be delighted to support you through this process and answer questions you may have, so contact us today!
Sources:
‘Apocalyptic’: 500 per cent energy price hikes plunge schools into winter crisis, September 2022 – schoolsweek.co.uk
DfE: Education Technology (EdTech) Survey 2020-21 Research report, May 2021 – Gov.uk
DfE: Moving your school to the cloud, April 2019 – Gov.uk
DfE: Realising the potential of technology in education, April 2019 – Gov.uk
Uncovering the Environmental Impact of Cloud Computing, October 2020 – Earth.org
Top 5 Environmental Benefits of Cloud Computing Today, July 2021 – Getlateral.com
The role of ICT in realising education for all by 2030 – Elevatelimited.com
175 Zettabytes By 2025, Tom Coughlin – Forbes.com