phil_thebeans

I put off installing this shite software (experience from another school my tech worked at) until now and only set about installing it this week and as yet hadn't started. Thank the heavens I can now not bother. Yeah another complete waste of taxpayers money spent on a a brand spanking new dual xeon (quad core) Dell server all for nothing.....or a brilliant new server for my delight hurrah. Seriously though it is if i am Nostradamus, I had a feeling that this project in its present form would fall on its arse and if my SMT decide to run with the tests for "fun" I will be hoping for some financial bonus for any or all work we put in installing and monitoring the ks3 software that is above and beyond our remit as it is no longer going to be arequired test. It would be much better if we create our own specific ICT tests and have the kids clicking tick boxes in a spreadsheet etc at least it would work.

Could anyone one who uses Net Support Manager and Net Support School please share their experinces with me as I need to change from NetOp School and would also like to purchase the Net Support Manager software to assist with remote management etc of network, any positives or negatives (known issues) are welcome, thanks.

As soon as I was able I prevented the head of ICT access to anything other than their work and neccessary folders. This was helped by the previous HOD leaving and so it was relatively easy to enforce a new policy. In the strictest sense the head of ICT is just like any other staff member and should have restricted user rights particularly in respect of other staff members folders you could cite the DPA as an example of why they should have special privs. If you find the pressure and influence of management excessive and the staffmember in question has not enough real understanding of networks and systems you should probally explain to your headteacher the possible consequences of your hod having domain admin privs (system downtime as a result of fiddling, really lay it on) but particularly how the hod in question will have access to all folders including his and managements. This should suitably frighten the headteacher into re-assessing the situation.

Thanks everyone, especially the pointer to Becta's site although in typical goverment fashion a cursory glance shows that recommended numbers of technicians are rather ambigious to say the least, well what else would we expect from them.

Wow thanks for the quick replies. Looks like you guys are more rushed off your feet than us. Our main problem is all the new stuff we get given like the dreaded KS3 tests and whiteboard/projector support.

Our RBC doesn't allow access remotely other than purchasing a product called Neoteris that is managed via the LEA support team (that alone put me off) and running costs of approx £800 - £1k per year. Alternatively we are investigating the possibility of leasing another line from BT (arrrrgggh) so we have full control over the access.

As I'm about to request extra human resources with the expansion of the school (year 7 arrive in September 07) present user numbers exceed 1200. I wonder if anyone can give me an idea about numbers of IT staff they have in other schools. We have over 250 PCs,5 servers (soon to be 7) and are responsible for website dev as well as supporting adulted. There is myself and a part time technician (15 hours per week, term time plus 1 week) the level of IT understanding is low even for a school.

We use sophos which is configured to auto update as and when they log on to our network. Unfortunately have had to give all users local administratot rights so they have full control. In 3 years have had to rebuild 20% due to negligence on web (trojans, popups , porn etc) worse thing about laptops on network is allowing them to backup to their network folder yesterday did audit one teacher had backud up all music and pic files (personal) over 500mb having a laugh. You do have some recourse though if you use protection of the networks integrity to control worse offenders. Good Luck.

I had the same problem a few years ago, took my concerns about teachers particularly ICT Co-ordinator (who considered himself a bit of a whizz but in reality couldn't co-ordinate his tie with his shirts) having access to server room to Head Teacher and quoted Data Protection Act and how if data was lost or stolen he would be ultimately responsible, this got him on board.

Had a couple of persistent offenders who left machines logged on in pupil areas (library etc) so I moved the contents of their network folder and waited until they came running. after explaining that this could very well happen for real they saw sense and no longer do it. Harsh but fair.