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Barnard Castle School provides a safe and nurturing environment for boys and girls in County Durham. With first-class facilities and a broad curriculum, the school excels in pastoral care and offers a wide range of co-curricular activities. Known affectionately as 'Barney,' the school fosters a strong family atmosphere for boarders and day pupils aged 4 to 18. The school's ethos of openness encourages participation from parents, former pupils, and friends, promoting pride, effort, and fun.
Job Purpose
The IT & Digital Services Manager is responsible for ensuring that all IT systems, digital services, infrastructure, and IT staff are future-ready, secure, and effectively managed. Working under the strategic vision set by the Director of Digital Strategy, the role ensures that technology solutions consistently align with the school’s educational and operational goals.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strategic IT Leadership and Innovation
o Collaborate with the Director of Digital Strategy (DoDS) to align infrastructure and digital services with the school’s vision.
o Ensure all IT systems are future-ready, scalable, and aligned with emerging educational and operational needs.
o Monitor emerging technologies and assess their potential benefits for teaching, learning, and school operations. Proactively advise the DoDS on opportunities to enhance IT services and support innovative digital practices.
o Develop and implement policies for IT security, data protection, and acceptable use in line with national guidelines and GDPR.
o Support the DoDS to promote a culture of digital innovation and continuous improvement.
2. IT Service Management and Operational Delivery
o Oversee the management and maintenance of IT infrastructure, ensuring security, reliability, and high performance.
o Implement and support digital learning tools and applications to enhance educational delivery, under the direction of the DoDS.
o Lead the IT support team to provide comprehensive training and support for staff and students, maximising effective use of digital resources.
o Plan and oversee CPD for IT support staff, ensuring skills remain current and aligned with school needs.
o Implement efficient systems for IT issue reporting and resolution to enhance user experience.
o Manage AV equipment, ensuring proper maintenance, updates, and operational support for events and classrooms.
3. Asset, Inventory, and Lease Management
o Maintain a detailed inventory of all IT assets, managing the full lifecycle from acquisition to decommissioning.
o Negotiate, procure, and oversee the purchasing and leasing for IT equipment, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and effective management of internal returns (from parents/staff) and external returns (to leasing companies).
o Implement standardised asset tracking and maintenance schedules.
4. Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Risk Management
o Conduct an annual Cyber Audit, assessing the school network, firewall, and infrastructure, ensuring compliance with Department for Education (DfE) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) requirements.
o Ensure timely updates and security patches are applied to maintain system integrity.
o Regularly review and enforce password policies, device compliance, and access management.
o Manage the IP-based CCTV and door access systems, coordinating with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Director of Facilities for compliance and future planning.
o Oversee PAT testing for IT equipment, scheduling training for the IT team and maintaining compliance documentation.
o Ensure compliance with data protection regulations by managing both internal and external data security policies, including third-party data agreements and school-wide data governance.
o Ensure strict access controls and permission-based security policies for system users, maintaining appropriate logging and review procedures.
5. Budgeting, Procurement, and Vendor Management
o Develop and manage the IT budget to ensure sustainable and cost-effective procurement.
o Negotiate contracts with external service providers to ensure high standards of delivery and value for money.
6. Examination Support and Operational Readiness
o Plan and deliver technical support for exams, including setup and maintenance of exam laptops, specialised assistive software, and the production of printed exam scripts where required.
o Ensure compliance with exam board regulations by planning staffing and monitoring systems before, during, and after exam periods to meet compliance requirements and validity of exams.
7. Safeguarding
o Ensure sensitive safeguarding alerts and log requests are handled securely and appropriately.
o Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to ensure the school meets the requirements of KCSIE in respect of digital safeguarding.
Person Specification
* Proven experience in IT management, preferably within an educational setting.
* Leadership and team management skills with a proactive approach to IT challenges.
* Strong understanding of IT security, data protection, and compliance regulations.
* Experience of managing budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.
* Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
* Commitment to continuous professional development, managing their own training needs to stay up to date with emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends in IT and digital services.
Essential Software Experience
* Intune Deployment and Management
* Experience with cloud-based learning platforms and educational applications.
* Familiarity with network management and infrastructure best practices.
* Knowledge of safeguarding and e-safety within a school environment.
* Experience in strategic IT planning and policy development.
Desirable Software Experience
Terms of Appointment
* Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week, with necessary flexibility)
* Holidays: 20 days plus bank holidays (to be taken during school holidays)
* Pension: Eligible for the school’s pension scheme (Employer 7%, Employee 6%)
* Safeguarding: Role subject to an enhanced DBS check and safeguarding screening.
Recruitment Process
Enquiries If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Chris Butler, Director of Digital Strategy at CRB@barneyschool.org.uk
Applications If you feel that you can meet the above requirements, then please submit a letter of application along with the Barnard Castle School application form to the Bursar, Mrs S M Metcalf. All details can be found here: https://www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancies/
Only applications containing the requested information will be considered.
Deadline for applications: 9.00 am Tuesday 22nd April 2025
Interviews: W/c 28th April 2025
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Information Technology
* Industries
* Primary and Secondary Education
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