Head of Information Services

[apoth0r]

You would need to have experience of financial planning and working cross-curricular. Project management experience would be essential too IME, but that can be built on. Man management is another key factor, even if you have only managed people as part of a significant project.

 

Noted!

I shall keep working on various whole-school projects with the insight of it actually meaning more to my career then simply having it up and running!

 

Cheers

[Fatmas]

When I was at University we had a department called Information Services that did a lot of network management which included: Giving students / staff access to WiFi and RESLAN. Keeping the anti virus up to date and anything else that involves the Uni network. It was a massive department as they had to look after around 5000 first year students on RESLAN as well as all the departments and schools that used it. They did a fair share of admin work too so it ended up being quite a large scope in terms of what they did.

[marekbrad]

My Role is both network manager and strategic leader... I appear to be a rare breed of teacher.. turned techy (MCSE).

 

Title... ICT Strategy Manager ..!

[tim.dalton]

This is just about my role... The job description currently has me as a consultant, but in Hampshire I think that is mainly about salary bands rather than accurate descriptions of what we do. Not massively interested in what goes on the business card to be honest.

 

I don't think I have much to add following the posts above, I certainly don't have a contribution that useful! But, I thought I'd point out where I think we may differ. I'm line managed by the deputy head, and the best short description of my role at Wildern is overseeing strategic direction in terms of ICT. I'm interested in how our current technology is used in the school, and our future plans.

 

We also have an AST that has responsibility in new technologies (and is very much focused on their impact in the classroom), and between us we look at how the school develops. There is also a head of ICT (curriculum) in post that deals with day to day classroom practice for the subject, and then network manager and the standard tech roles under that.

 

The massive advantage of having a role like this within a school is as you say, you get to look at the bigger picture without having to worry too much about the tech support. Certainly looking at the way the school has moved forward in the time I've been here, having people with time allocated to working at whole school level on development has meant we have not only become more focussed/consistent but I think pushed us forward quicker. Interestingly, I'd say this role would have more requirements in terms of management skills than technical.

 

The caveat here is our work beyond the school. Both Kate (our AST) and I spend a considerable amount of time out doing work with our feeder and partner schools, and this helps provides funding for us to work this way. Obviously work outside makes complete sense as it helps us support the direction of our feeder schools too, but it does also mean that it isn't a position that the school purely funds.

 

Hope this is useful, happy to help with anything else if I can.

 

Tim

Edited September 17, 2009 by tim.dalton