Board of Governors / SLT Report - Moving to Soltech IT

It's not often that one of our new clients shares their due diligence with us.

So, we thought we'd share it with you.

To: Board of Governors / Senior Leadership Team
From: 
Date: 
Subject: Proposal for Migration of ICT Managed Services to Soltech IT

1. Purpose of Report

This report outlines the strategic and operational necessity of transitioning our school’s ICT support from     to Soltech IT. This recommendation is based on a requirement for improved reliability, better value for money, and a partner that actively supports the delivery of the National Computing Curriculum.

2. Current Challenges with(previous provider)

Our partnership with    has reached a critical point of failure. Current service levels are characterized by:

• Operational Instability: Frequent failure to attend scheduled on-site support visits, leaving staff without technical assistance during peak teaching hours.
• Poor Communication: A lack of responsive customer care, leading to unresolved technical issues and a loss of staff confidence in school technology.
• Lack of Accountability: Service delivery does not currently reflect the contractual obligations, resulting in a poor return on investment for the school's budget.

3. The Soltech IT Alternative: Key Benefits

Soltech IT is a specialist education provider that prioritises a "service-first" approach. Unlike national providers, they offer a localized, high-touch service model designed specifically for schools in the South West.

A. Financial Reinvestment (The Bursar Service)

Soltech IT is unique in offering a dedicated Bursar Service.

• Cost Reduction: They perform comprehensive audits of existing ICT contracts (broadband, backups, printing, etc.) to identify waste.
• Grant Funding: They actively assist schools in identifying and securing grant funding, having helped schools secure over £705,000 since 2014 . This ensures that the ICT provider helps generate income rather than just acting as a cost centre.
• Donations: They actively donate to schools, offering us a Promethean Touchscreen and Visitor Management System for free.

B. Direct Curriculum Support

Soltech IT bridges the gap between technical support and classroom learning.

• STEM Resource Loans: They provide schools with free access to curriculum loan kits, including programmable robots and STEM equipment. This allows our teachers to deliver high-quality computing lessons without the school needing to purchase expensive hardware.

C. "Banked Hours" Accountability

To resolve our current issue of paying for missed visits, Soltech IT utilises a "Banked Hours" model.

• If a scheduled visit is not required or cannot take place, those hours are "banked" and rolled over for future use. This ensures the school never pays for a service it does not receive, providing total transparency and financial protection.

D. Regional Expertise and Reliability

As a South West specialist, Soltech IT provides:

• Local Engineers: Their proximity to our school ensures a more reliable attendance record for scheduled visits compared to our current national provider.
• Dedicated Account Management: A single point of contact who understands our school’s specific infrastructure and long-term digital strategy.

4. Risk Mitigation during Transition

Moving to Soltech IT involves a structured "Discovery Audit and 5-year Development Report" to ensure all systems are documented before the handover. Soltech IT manages the migration to ensure zero downtime for staff and pupils.

5. Recommendation

It is recommended that the board of governors approves the termination of the    contract (subject to the standard 90-day notice period) and authorises the commencement of a service agreement with Soltech IT.

This move will resolve current reliability issues, provide our teachers with better classroom resources, and potentially recover costs through their specialist funding and bursar services.

 ICT4 Schools