Client Background:

• Pickering Junior School: Nestled in the scenic North Yorkshire countryside, has been a cornerstone of education in the region for over three decades. With a commitment to academic excellence and fostering a supportive learning environment, the school has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of its students and staff.

Traditionally, Pickering Junior School relied on an on-premise server to store its data, limiting access to the school premises and hindering remote collaboration among staff members. Recognising the growing importance of remote working and the need for seamless collaboration, the school embarked on a journey to modernise its data infrastructure while centralising information from various sources.

Project Overview:

• Cloud Migration: In collaboration with the Cirrus team, Pickering Junior School undertook a comprehensive assessment to identify the most suitable platform for their data storage and collaboration needs. After careful consideration and consultation, Microsoft Teams emerged as the ideal solution to address the school’s requirements.Microsoft Teams offered a robust platform that not only facilitated secure remote working but also streamlined communication channels among staff members. Moreover, it provided Governors with direct access to meeting documents, eliminating the need for cumbersome email exchanges.The Cirrus team meticulously planned and executed the migration process, tailoring the Teams structure to accommodate the diverse needs of the school’s staff. By establishing user access protocols and implementing best practices in data management, Cirrus ensured a seamless transition to the new platform.

The Challenge:

• While Pickering Junior School had already embraced Office 365 for email communication, the adoption of Microsoft Teams represented a significant departure from familiar workflows. Many staff members expressed apprehension about transitioning to a new platform and adapting to a different way of working.To address these challenges, the project team prioritised comprehensive training and support initiatives. By empowering staff members with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage Teams effectively, the project aimed to minimise disruptions and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Solutions Provided by NYES:

Working closely with Claire, the school’s dedicated Business Manager, the project team devised a tailored solution to meet Pickering Junior School’s unique requirements:

• Creation of five distinct Teams reflecting the school’s organisational structure: Staff, Teachers, Office, Senior Management Team (SMT), and Governors.
• Implementation of tenant housekeeping activities to remove redundant users and streamline security protocols.
• Configuration of the Teams admin centre in accordance with Microsoft Education best practices.
• Establishment of granular user access controls to ensure data security and privacy.
• Delivery of comprehensive training sessions aimed at equipping staff members with the necessary skills to maximise productivity within the new platform.
• Provision of ongoing Office 365 support to address any technical issues or concerns promptly.

Client Testimonial:

• Claire Mortimer, School Business Manager: Speaking on behalf of Pickering Junior School, expressed her utmost satisfaction with the project delivery and the transformative impact of Microsoft Teams on the school’s operations. The training session was met with enthusiasm and appreciation from staff members, who now feel empowered to leverage Teams as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation. With the unwavering support of the NYES Digital help desk, Pickering Junior School looks forward to embracing a future defined by flexibility, efficiency, and excellence in education.