Most schools don’t need a full-time IT Director. But most schools do need someone who can think strategically about IT, not just fix problems when they come up. That’s what our Virtual IT Director service is for.
Day-to-day IT support keeps the lights on. But it doesn’t help you plan your next device refresh. It doesn’t join up your data governance, your safeguarding responsibilities, and your technology strategy. It doesn’t give you something credible to put in front of governors.
A Virtual IT Director does.
The experience behind this service spans over 30 years working across education, in school IT, senior leadership, and at Multi-Academy Trust level. That means we understand your world from the inside. We know what it’s like to sit in an SLT meeting and field questions about cyber security, EdTech budgets, and DfE compliance in the same breath. We know how school procurement actually works, what governors need to hear, and where the gap between IT support and IT strategy tends to open up.
We work alongside your leadership team on a retained basis, attending relevant meetings, reviewing your IT strategy, helping you navigate procurement decisions, and making sure your school’s technology is working in service of your educational goals rather than just ticking boxes.
We speak to governors and parents in plain English. We translate the technical stuff so you don’t have to. And we make sure nothing important falls through the gap between your classroom devices and your DfE compliance obligations.
What’s included?
This is a flexible, retained service. We tailor the scope to your school’s size and needs, but typically includes:
Regular strategic IT reviews with the headteacher or business manager
Governor reporting and IT strategy documentation
DfE standards monitoring and compliance oversight
Procurement advice and supplier management support
Oversight of any third-party IT support arrangements
Support with digital strategy, including EdTech decisions
Access to our full audit toolkit, including DfE Technology Standards, Cyber Essentials, and Copilot Readiness reviews, at preferential rates
Who’s this for?
Schools that don’t have a dedicated IT lead in their senior leadership team, and want someone who can fill that gap without the cost or commitment of a full-time appointment. Particularly relevant for single-academy trusts, maintained schools, and smaller MATs where strategic IT oversight tends to fall to whoever has the least-full diary.
Pricing
Fixed Price. No Surprises.
Essentials Monthly Retainer – £350pm (ex VAT)
Depending on size of the school, demand and requirements for reporting, we will assess whether the Essentials Tier is appropriate and discuss further options as necessary.
Ready to get started?
Get in touch to talk through whether Virtual IT Director is the right fit for your school.
FAQs
Is this the same as IT support?
No. This is strategic and advisory. It sits alongside your day-to-day IT support, not instead of it. If you don’t currently have IT support in place, we can help with that too through our school support plans.
How much does it cost?
We agree a monthly retainer based on your school’s size and the level of input you need. Get in touch and we’ll talk it through. There’s no obligation.
How much time does it involve?
That depends on your school. We’ll agree a structure that works around your academic calendar and review it regularly.
Can we use this alongside an existing IT support provider?
Yes. We’re happy to work alongside any existing provider and act as an informed, independent point of oversight on your behalf.
What makes this different from a standard IT consultant?
Most IT consultants come from a technology background. The experience behind this service comes from inside education, from managing school IT, sitting on senior leadership teams, and working across multi-academy trusts. 30 years worth of IT experience in education, ready to assist you and your school. That’s a different conversation to the one most IT providers can have with you.