BSF Handbook

[Grommit]

Chapter 6 is about ICT and they state that ICT Managers are finished... in a round about way...

 

http://www.p4s.org.uk/documents/AnIntroductiontoBSF.pdf

[Kyle]

they state that ICT Managers are finished... in a round about way...

 

Can you explaina bit more grommit, i've read it and seem to be missing something.

[CyberNerd]

The BSF programme means that ICT in schools becomes a managed service,. This is mandatory and only 'low grade' technicians will be required in school. school NM's are likely to be a thing of the past if each school is set up the same in a given area, the server side/network/hardware/maintenence will be done by the chosen outsource company.

[localzuk]

This is exactly why I've just went and asked my line manager to investigate this fully for me. The school has no desire to get rid of me, the problem is that it will kinda be out of their control, as the managed system would take over my job and i'd end up TUPE'd away or in a position where my responsibilities suddenly drop (which I do not want, as I simply wouldn't enjoy my job).

[webman]

Toner changer and password setter! That's what we've all got to look forward to! What's not exciting about that localzuk???

 

I am of course joking. BSF managed services are bad for all of us.

[localzuk]

However, I will say that one of our suppliers has mentioned that I'd not have much trouble getting a job there in the future (not mentioning which though )...

[Grommit]

This is exactly why I've just went and asked my line manager to investigate this fully for me. The school has no desire to get rid of me, the problem is that it will kinda be out of their control, as the managed system would take over my job and i'd end up TUPE'd away or in a position where my responsibilities suddenly drop (which I do not want, as I simply wouldn't enjoy my job).

 

The bottom line is.. A. either the school finds another position for you paid from a different budget or you get TUPED...

 

If the school wants to keep you as ICT Manager then they lose the funding.. end of...

 

I have heard that a few "we really want you and don't want to lose you" Network managers have had the retoric drop quite a bit when the million or so pounds is dangled in front of the SLT

[tosca925]

I have heard that a few "we really want you and don't want to lose you" Network managers have had the retoric drop quite a bit when the million or so pounds is dangled in front of the SLT

 

We have had this already, at our school. In september it was, "we won't loose you and will pay you out of our own budget." In mid january after the 2 million funding carrot was dangled then it turned to "you'll stay here till BSF take over and then you will be TUPE'd over."

 

Fill's you full of confidence with SLT. Trouble is i get the feeling we know far more about the BSF project and procedure than all SLT put together.

[tosca925]

What about ICT in Academies?

 

Academies will be expected to purchase the managed service from the

local LEP unless there is a strong case for not doing so.

 

Just read the above in chapter 6..........interesting. I wondered where academies come into it.

[Grommit]

What about ICT in Academies?

 

Academies will be expected to purchase the managed service from the

local LEP unless there is a strong case for not doing so.

 

Just read the above in chapter 6..........interesting. I wondered where academies come into it.

 

Same story... If they want the money they have to be managed....

 

I mean what a strong case ?!?! nothing... "we like our network manager" or such like...

 

Nope the steamroller rolls and we are getting squashed out of our jobs and there is nothing we can do about it...

 

Just the other day I was speaking to an County Education official who said that we have to buy some equiptment for a project from the prefered supplier and that this supplier (RM) had gone through the European Tender Process to get the contract..

 

I looked at the RM price list and said I could get the kit cheaper from my own supplier..

 

I was told.. nope you HAVE to by from RM because they had won the tender process..

 

Now isn't our jobs to save our schools money by finding value for money ? .. yet this just proves that the prefered supplier might rip offf the schools and there will be no-one to query the goods/price/reason.....

[Gatt]

great - just the kinda news i i wanted to hear with 3 weeks till the baby arrives

[peterc]

I've been sitting in the middle of this process for 3 years now including getting very close for PfS and their ICT team.

 

1. The default position for Academies being built and funder under the BSF programme is that their ICT will be provided by whoever the Authority appoints. However, they will have the right to ensure their specific interests, values, specialisms etc. are fully reflected in what the ICT provider is offering. That's why there is specific funding to get in professional consultants to help through this process --- this from the Becta framework.

 

2. Academies can opt out of the Authority provision (and some of the consortia Academy sponsors: Ark, Oasis, ULT have the capacity and purchasing clout to do so), and there is a formal process for so doing. But it ain't easy. That's why it's vital academies keep on top of the BSF process in their authority and keep banging their own drum.

 

3. Good ICT technicians and managers will never lack for secure and profitable employment. Most are underpaid and undervalued in comparison with what they could earn outside in industry. The service level agreements demanded of the ICT providers under BSF will be so stringent that they will need to engage positively with existing ICT staff, and my observations of these providers recently (can't say where) is that the good ICT technicians and managers should look forward to a rosy future --- with a helluva lot more training, career development and benefits.

 

4. And if you don't like RM's price list, tell them exactly what you want, how much you can get it for from your own supplier and demand they deliver. RM are very touchy and vulnerable these days and are 'bending over' to break with past perceived restrictive practices. Good luck!

[tosca925]

@peterc

 

whats your role in all of this? are you a fellow techie or other?

[peterc]

I've been a teacher since 1981, spent 10 years in IT to 2003, requalified to teach ICT, and have been an education ICT advisor on lots of these BSF and academy projects since 2004. And meant what I said but network technicians and mangers being undervalued. This BSF process might be the time the glass ceiling is shattered!!

[Grommit]

I've been a teacher since 1981, spent 10 years in IT to 2003, requalified to teach ICT, and have been an education ICT advisor on lots of these BSF and academy projects since 2004. And meant what I said but network technicians and mangers being undervalued. This BSF process might be the time the glass ceiling is shattered!!

 

do you mean undervalued by the Education Sector so they can now move to the private sector ?

 

As I don't think RM, Captia, RAMESYS or other will pay the Network Managers and give them the control that they have now in the schools..

 

Do you have first hand knowledge of Network Manager getting same pay and control under a BSF school?

[Face-Man]

BSF is unfortuatly about standising ICT provision across LA's so that they can meet the "Every Child Matters" agenda a nobble goal and the theory is that all school get better ICT provision. Unfortuatly because so much time effort and money is being spent on getting everyone to agree (pfs advisers are currently being advertised at 45k + 25% bonus). I feel a fudge will occur and schools will have some good things ie only one support number but some difficult things like lack of flexibility and higher costs. For the four years after the BSF contract is awarded there are no capital grants from the DFES so no money for new computers (or furniture etc). The only way around it is to write into the contract a replacements budget but that has to go via the managed service.

 

Gommit to answers some of your concerns.

 

The roles when working for big companies will lead to conflicts of interest issues for tech staff on site. You (and for that matter me) will have managers that understand IT but not schools so they will expect locked down systems so no more doing favours for teachers because it's in the best interest of the school also all the network/server side operations will be done remotely. This will me anyone on site will have very limited rights to do anything and thouse off site will have no understanding of what the teachers and students really need. In short ICT technical support is being changed from a lean flexible approach to a fat slow changing mega corperation.

 

How can we make things better ?

 

Get involved with the process. Each LA has to produce a vision as to where they see their ICT education service going. So get a copy and point out to your head all the things that are missing/wrong/unrealistic (and nick the good ideas). The Heads have all the power before the contract is agreed make sure they really understand what they are letting themselves in for. I think the idea behind a lot of BSF is good the problem is with how it is being implemented.

[Geoff]

Each LA has to produce a vision as to where they see their ICT education service going.

 

Would that be this sort of document?

 

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/education/bsf/reports/pdf/visiontwentyten.pdf

[Face-Man]

Thats the public facing front but I'm told a more detailed pre-tender document has to be produced to show PSF a the LA thinking

[Geoff]

Ok, so what do I need to ask for then? Does the documentation have a specific name?

[CyberNerd]

If the LA are difficult about disclosing pre-tender documentation you can request these documents under Freedom of Information act, unless they are commercially sensitive - in which case they can be obtained by an employee representative under the information and consultation act:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2004/20043426.htm

[broc]

Ok, so what do I need to ask for then? Does the documentation have a specific name?

 

I have seen two of these detailed specification documents, one for my LA where I work and one for the LA where I used to be Chair of Governors at a school in wave 1 BSF. They were referred to as 'Draft output specifications' and must be signed off by P4S before becoming part of the initial discussions with prospective suppliers. I believe there is a P4S template as there were significant similarities between the docs in terms of content/layout. What was missing in both cases was any details about support, it seemed like the prospective suppliers would be expected to decide what was to be delivered.

[peterc]

..... and every school should have its own ICT vision document, or at least an educational vision in which ICT is clearly embedded throughout. That must be then compared with the LA vision which should reflect the school's vision.

[peterc]

Sorry for the delay and thanks for asking the $64K question! The first BSF schools are in Bristol where Northgate are the ICT provider and we should be watching very very carefully. There are issues of school autonomy, but often that means the autonomy of a network manager to be run ragged by under-trained teachers on inadequate equipment purchased from who knows where. That autonomy we can all live without. The real autonomy if working on a well and appropriately specified network with staff who really understand what ICT can do, and working with these folk to push the boundaries of teaching and learning. Hey, I just saw a pink fluffy thing fly by my window. But it's a good vision nonetheless

[Grommit]

Sorry for the delay and thanks for asking the $64K question! The first BSF schools are in Bristol where Northgate are the ICT provider and we should be watching very very carefully. There are issues of school autonomy, but often that means the autonomy of a network manager to be run ragged by under-trained teachers on inadequate equipment purchased from who knows where. That autonomy we can all live without. The real autonomy if working on a well and appropriately specified network with staff who really understand what ICT can do, and working with these folk to push the boundaries of teaching and learning. Hey, I just saw a pink fluffy thing fly by my window. But it's a good vision nonetheless

 

So somebody needs to phone up all the secondary schools in Bristol and find out what the Senior Teachers think of the ICT now it is a full Managed Service..

[webman]

Wouldn't bother, they've probably been made so sign an NDA 8)