Relocating equipment

[Badaz52]

Hi everyone,

 

I just wondered if anyone else out there is being asked to rip rooms apart to relocate computers here there and everywhere in order to provide social distanced workspaces? We have no date of when students are going to be back in, no word on teachers and the unions are specifically saying that secondary schools should not be planning for a return any time soon but our leadership are just flapping away. We have over 600 computers on site and around 70fte staff we shouldnt have to make any drastic changes to ensure everyone can use one. Students is a different matter but we are making provisions for the return of teachers - all of them.

[mikeprice]

Makes you wonder why there is no central plan so that schools can sort themselves out knowing what will happen and what they need to do

 

Instead they get announcements with no great notices and the unions seem to be surprised by what is said as they had no prior notice

 

I suppose if I was SMT I would be worried that teh government would suddenly say that secondary need to be ready to teach years x and y starting on the 1st August

 

or something

 

This is really annoying me because the DoE should have been working on plans since the school shut - and these should have been published so that everyone knows what they need to sort out

OK - it would be Plan A if circumstance X - B if Y C of Z

 

but at least people would be able to plan

[caffrey]

The problem we see happening is that staff will be returning to teach particular year groups but will still have to teach those years that are still learning from home according to timetables while at school. So I've been asked the question about PCs with cameras and microphones etc.

Currently pushing for 1:1 chromebooks at the mo. We have a suite of AIOs that I could pull out but they don't want that.

[Badaz52]

I just feel like IT are getting the run around, they have called me back onto site in my opinion for non essential work. Ive been told yesterday afternoon to put computers in a room that doesnt have any at present for staff to use spaced 2m apart. If the staff used their own computers in their rooms they would be 50-100m apart. They want this doing on Tuesday so ive been given no notice and they want trailing cables taped to the floor because there is no way we can put permanent provision in because of how the machines will be dotted about. Oh and im working on my own with no assistance. I dread to think what is next, in my opinion you dont go dismantling half your infrastructure for short term measures no matter the circumstance circumstances you find a better alternative like buying chromebooks as you say.

[DrBeaker]

I just feel like IT are getting the run around, they have called me back onto site in my opinion for non essential work. Ive been told yesterday afternoon to put computers in a room that doesnt have any at present for staff to use spaced 2m apart. If the staff used their own computers in their rooms they would be 50-100m apart. They want this doing on Tuesday so ive been given no notice and they want trailing cables taped to the floor because there is no way we can put permanent provision in because of how the machines will be dotted about. Oh and im working on my own with no assistance. I dread to think what is next, in my opinion you dont go dismantling half your infrastructure for short term measures no matter the circumstance circumstances you find a better alternative like buying chromebooks as you say.

 

They want it done. It's gonna cost them £££'s, end of. No notice/short notice means expensive and costly. That's not your fault if they've given you no notice.

[caffrey]

Part of me wants the government to do a u-turn on the opening and schools open in September instead , but it's not really fair on the kids.

 

Would give us more time

[Badaz52]

You are right it seems pointless to go to all this effort but the only people I see being pushed from pillar to post at the moment is IT and Site staff as if everyone isnt stressed enough without having to rip the school to pieces because leadership dont understand the situation and are flapping at what is actually required. Not everything is "doable" and they need to understand that for everyone's sake.

[DrBeaker]

Part of me wants the government to do a u-turn on the opening and schools open in September instead , but it's not really fair on the kids.

 

Would give us more time

 

Especially for IT and site teams who 1) have to take annual leave during the holidays and 2) busiest time of the year to get everything done. Otherwise it might end up waiting yet another year to get done. E.g. I know "temporary" fixes that have been in place 4x years. I know my workload hasn't just stopped.

 

Surely if we have another wave all of this is for nought.

 

You are right it seems pointless to go to all this effort but the only people I see being pushed from pillar to post at the moment is IT and Site staff as if everyone isnt stressed enough without having to rip the school to pieces because leadership dont understand the situation and are flapping at what is actually required. Not everything is "doable" and they need to understand that for everyone's sake.

 

They're SLT. It's their decision if you get me e.g. I can get you a brand new sofa delivered in 30x mins if you want... IF you have enough budget. Otherwise there's things called real world limitations that you have to work within (working hours, cost, opening ours etc) to meet that deadline and anybody in a position of leadership of others (if you know what I mean) should understand that.

[Aprice]

Not quite sure what they are trying to achieve, If these IT suites have A/C I doubt sitting 10m apart would make any difference. Thankfully all our desks are bolted to the floor so I doubt we will be moving them around any time soon. Edited May 23, 2020 by Aprice

[TechMonkey]

Be careful thinking that IT are the only ones getting spun around, getting into a negative headspace and having a pity party. Everyone is being given the runaround from Heads, teachers, maintenance/estates, all the way to cleaners and kitchen staff. Schools are trying to plan for June the 1st but that could all change Thursday depending on what the latest decision is. All while parents, staff and just about anyone with an opinion is telling them how they should be doing it, shouldn't be doing it or how everyone else is doing (but aren't). Schools aren't giving full information as they don't have full information themselves. They are thinking on their feet and trying to pull the best plans (even if it doesn't seem like it) that they can out of thin air. Try and be understanding, explain technical and practical things as best as possible and let your line managers know you are there to help however you can and as early in the process as they can.

 

Anything setup now will be temporary, and no one knows how temporary. From three weeks, when the Government release their next set of ideas, to maybe September or even a week until they change their minds.

 

Currently I am trying to build two new PC suites from random PCs around the school as well as fixing mobile devices to desks with power daisy chained along the back of desks, and then got it dropped on me that all staff not in a class will need a dedicated PC so that there is no hot desking. I don't think that is a possibility so I'm trying to find a work around. This is on top of trying to organise, or reorganise, projects, keep the day to day working and keep my team motivated and informed.

 

I too am torn between a U turn and letting the kids that can, come back. I have a really bad feeling that we will get everything setup and then Thursday the briefing will tell everyone to stay put. That will be very demoralising but may be the best thing. We just have to be resilient, mindful and as helpful and as supportive as we can be.

[Wubbalubbadub]

Not quite sure what they are trying to achieve, If these IT suites have A/C I doubt sitting 10m apart would make any difference. Thankfully all our desks are bolted to the floor so I doubt we will be moving them around any time soon.

Ha! This just made me think of the film: Law Abiding Citizen.

 

 

"I think those things are bolted into the cells"

"Well that's what wrenches are for.... Dum*a**"

 

[emoji23][emoji23]

No offence intented! The quote just made me laugh!

[ITGURU]

An interesting read, our staff have been told not to assume that IT rooms will be available and they will not be allowing staff to use the air con units.

It was suggested each member of staff have their own and keyboard and mouse to plug in to each machine they use.

[mikeprice]

An interesting read, our staff have been told not to assume that IT rooms will be available and they will not be allowing staff to use the air con units.

It was suggested each member of staff have their own and keyboard and mouse to plug in to each machine they use.

 

Yeah - staff plugging and unplugging keyboards and mice

 

what could possibly go wrong

 

just confiscate any hammers you see anyone carrying!

[Aprice]

The desks can't be unbolted, if the heads get rounded off first Edited May 26, 2020 by Aprice