Case Study

A little over two years ago, Bede’s made the decision to re-think its approach to technology. The school’s in-house IT team, while capable, was finding it difficult to keep pace with the school’s ambitions. There was a strong appetite among school leaders to bring in new ideas, explore more innovative ways of working, and make better use of IT to support both teaching and administration.

CTS was brought in to take on full responsibility for IT services across the Trust. From the start, our focus was to understand where the school wanted to go, and to help get there in a measured, confident way. Working closely with the Bursar and Head of IT, we started by building a practical, strategic roadmap for change.

One of the first priorities was deploying a 1:1 device scheme. This represented a major shift in how technology was used day to day and signalled a move away from reliance on shared equipment. This programme has since become a core part of the school’s teaching model, supporting more flexible, interactive learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

To support the change, we introduced three dedicated on-site engineers, spread across the two main campuses. This new team structure has brought improved responsiveness and a fresh approach to problem-solving, while remaining grounded in the practical needs of staff and students. We’ve also helped rationalise the school’s server estate, reducing overheads and simplifying ongoing maintenance. Wi-Fi provision was reviewed and upgraded, with improved coverage now supporting a much higher volume of connected devices.

Bede’s is now well into a phased rollout of Windows 11. As with previous improvements, our focus is on steady progress without disruption; aligning deployment with the school’s timetable and available budgets. Transition is being managed in close collaboration with internal stakeholders and is helping to modernise the desktop environment across the Trust.

What’s notable is the cultural change that has accompanied the technical upgrades. Technology at Bede’s is no longer seen as a constraint, but now makes change possible. The Trust has begun using its improved infrastructure to support a more joined-up approach between schools, with a central IT hub providing a consistent standard of service and oversight. The partnership between CTS and the school continues to evolve, with regular planning sessions keeping priorities aligned and momentum steady.

The journey at Bede’s is still ongoing, but the results so far are clear: better tools, smoother operations, and a growing confidence that IT can support its ambition. More importantly, staff and students are beginning to experience what a truly supportive digital environment looks like: adapting to their needs and opening new possibilities.