Our NYES Digital School Technician service provides invaluable support to schools to ensure they are always online and their systems are not only efficient but safe and compliant for the sake of all users. Today we wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a school tech. We’ll take a look at the essential tasks and challenges that come with maintaining and developing the ICT infrastructure in a school. From routine maintenance and troubleshooting to supporting staff and students with their tech needs, every day brings new opportunities and hurdles. Whether its upgrading systems, ensuring backups are secure, or simply keeping everything running smoothly, the role of a school tech is crucial yet often unseen. Hear from Richard Freytag who has been working with schools for over 23 years.
How does a typical day in your role look?
My day starts early, ensuring that all systems are up and running before the school day begins. I begin with routine maintenance tasks such as backing up anti-virus software, verifying that all backups are correct, and reviewing any failed backups to ensure they are constantly monitored. Fixing connection issues and supporting the school in finding solutions are also part of my morning checklist.
Throughout the day, I also support the school with various development tasks. This includes assisting with Windows 10 issues and upgrades to Windows 11, upgrading servers, PCs, laptops, and tablets, and setting up new equipment. Staying proactive is key to keeping the school online and providing advice on ICT infrastructure.
With the NYES Digital School Tech service, even if I am not on site the school can access support through the NYES Digital helpdesk too, so they always have someone there to resolve any issues and queries. This ensures that any problems are dealt with promptly, minimizing downtime.
What do you think are the main benefits of utilising a NYES Digital School Technician?
Having an expert on-site to navigate the complexities of school ICT systems is invaluable. Working with the wider team and being proactive allows us to pass on issues to the digital team for further support.
What is the biggest challenge in your role?
One of the biggest challenges is the tight school budget. Schools know they need to prioritise their ICT needs and invest in their equipment to keep the school running smoothly. However, ICT is sometimes underappreciated, making it difficult to secure necessary funding.
I’m also often working on tasks that schools don’t see, such as background maintenance of Office and Windows systems. Without these, the school’s operating system would fall apart but these tasks are just part of my usual day and not as visible to staff in the school.
Why should schools have a Digital Technician?
Without a school tech, there would be a gradual decline in the system as there is just no one around to maintain and support it constantly. Eventually, the system would break down, phones would stop working, and CCTV would fail. Myself and my team help schools to make sure their systems are operational, compliant and efficient to protect the school to the best of their ability.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I enjoy every aspect of my job, which I’ve been doing for 23 years. Configuration and new updates keep the work interesting and challenging.
What is your biggest tip for schools?
Invest in the system. Consider the total cost of ownership and the time lost on ICT issues. More investment means more time to be proactive with systems and updates.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
In September, a newly qualified teacher started at a school who had been born after I started this job 23 years ago! And a fun fact: I’ve broken the national speed limit on a bicycle, reaching 62mph down Barden Road!
About Our School Technician Service
The School Technician’s scheme provides North Yorkshire schools with technical support that can assist with computers, printers, installing software and maintaining ICT equipment throughout the school. Our School Technician Service is designed to be entirely pro-active, providing subscribing schools with regular visits of agreed duration and frequency by a named technician, to carry out all those regular maintenance tasks that help prevent costly failure, minimising downtime and maximising your investment in ICT systems.
We understand that a school’s ICT support requirements can be quite complex and no one individual can fulfil every need. So when you subscribe to our School Technician Service, you are not simply engaging one individual, you have the expertise and knowledge of the entire Schools ICT Team supporting them.
Our school technicians are able to carry out a range of tasks, many that lie outside the scope of our standard support services and that would normally incur additional charges. Tasks such as installing new hardware or software, server user management, general network “housekeeping”, ensuring all data is being securely backed up, updating tablet devices. These tasks would normally be charged at £80 for the first hour and £48 for each subsequent hour.
To find out more about utilising the support of an NYES Digital School Technician, please get in touch with NYES Digital by emailing nyes.digital@northyorks.gov.uk or call 01609 536 086.
