JRMatthews Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 I work in a school of 650 pupils, about 500 computers many used for teaching, many used in an admin role. We run email, MIS, ClickView, SQL server, Windows & Macs, we do all our own installs, repairs and updates and a whole host of other services. Just wondered how many support staff other schools would employ to successfully staff the above services?
newpersn Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 We got the same set up. (Exchange, sims, clickview and more) 850 on roll and around 400-500 computers and laptops Just me (technician) and the system manager 1
elsiegee40 Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) Two at the most for that number of students, but probably one. Two of the schools in the multi academy trust of which I am a governor have roughly that number on role and both employ only one IT technician with occasional support from the lead school which employs 1 NM and a technician and has 900 students. Edited December 30, 2014 by elsiegee40 1
6Foot2 Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 We have about 1200 students and about 500 computers/laptops/Chromebooks. There are three of us supporting the network and users. However one of those people has other duties also so it is more like 2.5 for computer/user support. HTH. 1
clareq Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 2000 students, around 400 staff, nightschool tutors and students. 1300 computers, of which about 400 are laptops, and 50 are macs. 30+ servers, as we run our own exchange, SIMS, SQL and SCCM. We're split site, and there are 4 of us, and a non-technical manager, who also manages the site staff and kitchens. 1
eddyc Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 We have 1650 pupils on role. Just shy of 650 machines plus many other systems & services that we manage. It's me (it services manager), one technician, one vle\web technician and two apprentices. Seems to work out about right for us. 1
ITGURU Posted December 30, 2014 Posted December 30, 2014 We have 20 Servers, 1200 Workstations, 1500 students and 200 staff across 2 AD Sites (Main school and a post 16 centre connected via 350m of Fibre Optic Cable. All IT Installations / maintenance / configuration is done in-house. We have onsite File, Exchange, SQL, Web. There is myself (Network Manager) and I have 2 technicians which work under me. The only thing we use external contractors for is Fibre Optic Installation / Repair if required. 1
JRMatthews Posted December 31, 2014 Author Posted December 31, 2014 Many thanks for all the replies, we currently have two, but with the demands on the system and the intolerance of users who expect everything to be completed yesterday we could do with another support person. Looking at your posts, it doesn't seem that unreasonable? Just have to convince the management.
elsiegee40 Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 @JRMatthews How about getting an apprentice? They are cheap and can free you of some of the more basic stuff leaving you more productive time free 1
ITGURU Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 We've had apprentices in the past but unfortunately they still haven't had the desired knowledge, although they may know the basics of a PC every network is different but agree they could do the basic things! When we had a school merger we had 6 weeks and a team of 3 to create a new domain, re-image 1000 pc's , put on the new network , migrate all users and mailboxes as well as installing new switches....a lot of pressure but we did it! 1
elsiegee40 Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 We've had apprentices in the past but unfortunately they still haven't had the desired knowledge, although they may know the basics of a PC every network is different but agree they could do the basic things! I think you may have missed the point. An apprentice is a raw recruit with no prior training other than what they learned at school. They are with you to get the desired knowledge. You train them up. That's why they are cheap. 1
ITGURU Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 Yes, but You still have to dedicate your time to train them up which takes your time away from other tasks/duties. I think you may have missed the point. An apprentice is a raw recruit with no prior training other than what they learned at school. They are with you to get the desired knowledge. You train them up. That's why they are cheap. 1
elsiegee40 Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 Get the right apprentice and you'll get someone who will pick it up quickly. You shouldn't be losing more man hours than you gain if you are careful in your selection. 1
ITGURU Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 Agreed, just unfortunately agencies have always offered us someone who needs babysitting. We now ensure that anyone we employ has previous experience and picked things up quick. It's not a one size fits all in this case. 1
TheScarfedOne Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 I took on "trainees" from the Uni, they had to do a year in industry as part of their course. They have a vested interest in doing well (have to pass the year), have good knowledge (they are in year 3) and as has been said, they can do a lot of the basic stuff for you 1
mthomas08 Posted December 31, 2014 Posted December 31, 2014 Thought I would give my penny worth while I am sitting here waiting to go out. It depends on many things, not just what you are responsible for but what the School and Staff expect from you. We have a heavy reliance in my current job, even though there is a few hundred less PCs and laptops compared to my previous job we do have a mobile device scheme. We had no choice but to get a 4th member due to the extra activities that are expected of us. Frankly, non IT Support related work. That alone makes the demand of my team too high to manage with 3 of us. I made this very clear to management that if we are to carry on we would have no choice but to employ the 4th member. Even without the mobile device scheme we would have to look at adding some more PC suites, their reliance will be increased and we would still be expected to go not just the extra mile but the extra few hundred miles. 2
TheScarfedOne Posted January 1, 2015 Posted January 1, 2015 A good point there, its not just about the "technical" load, but the touchy feely user support and visibility that matters. As one to one (whether school supported or not) becomes more prevalent, the support model in schools will change. A lot of schools are getting managed services for print, and others, reducing that burden... To free up time for other things 1
eyetea Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 We're very similar in size... 1 year ago we had 2.5 people - 1 Network manager (.5 time) 1 Senior tech (full time) and regular tech, me! (full time) Now it's just me!!! 1
JRMatthews Posted January 2, 2015 Author Posted January 2, 2015 (edited) Many thanks for the idea of an apprentice it's one that I will investigate as it seems to have many benefits with a few downsides. Edited January 2, 2015 by JRMatthews
RichCowell Posted January 2, 2015 Posted January 2, 2015 The ANME shares stats of our members environment with our members, some of which are line graphs showing ratios of users : IT Support Staff and devices : IT support staff, so you can see where your school is on that graph and how it compares with others... Free to join if you're interested - http://www.anme.co.uk
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