Microsoft 365 User Adoption for Schools, MATs and Districts
The Microsoft 365 User Adoption for Schools, MATs and Districts podcast is your go-to resource for unlocking the full potential of Microsoft 365 in education. Presented by Cloud Design Box (https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk) — the UK’s leading provider of education-focused SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 intranet solutions — this series shares proven strategies, practical tips, and inspiring success stories to help schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and districts boost adoption, streamline workflows, and improve collaboration.
Trusted by hundreds of schools, colleges and trusts, Cloud Design Box brings over a decade of experience in helping education organisations successfully implement Microsoft 365. Each episode covers essential topics such as Microsoft Teams for Education, SharePoint intranets for schools, Office 365 adoption strategies, OneNote Class Notebook in the classroom, MIS integration, safeguarding in Microsoft Teams, and digital transformation planning for MATs.
Whether you are a trust CEO, headteacher, digital transformation lead, or classroom educator, you will gain actionable insights to engage teachers, support IT leaders, and create a culture where Microsoft 365 becomes a natural, productive part of everyday learning and administration.
For free resources, guides, and tailored Microsoft 365 solutions for education, visit Cloud Design Box - https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk.
Microsoft 365 User Adoption for Schools, MATs and Districts
Getting best value from Microsoft 365 for Education with Jonathan Bishop
An eye opening interview with Jonathan Bishop, the CEO & Executive Headteacher of Cornerstone Academy Trust.
- Best value doesn't mean cheapest.
- It's not about directly balancing reduced printing costs against buying Surface Pros - the aim is to improve T & L and build staff efficiency while spending effectively.
- He talked about needing fewer staff though, which I thought was controversial. Or at least freeing up staff time to do other things. I think different folks may hear that message differently though, depending on whether they are a CEO or a technician! Remember that Cornerstone outsource their technicians...
- More expensive devices work better and longer e.g. power requirements
- He prefers one-to-one devices to whiteboards - you don't have to turn your back!
- He took no prisoners in suggesting that some schools should have done more with ICT - it's not optional. Digital Divides don't just come from families with low incomes - you can have a school down the road who have not prioritised IT enough.
- He borrowed the money to buy the Surfaces (well, he leased them). £4K per pupil on average should allows £200 to be spent on a device annually.
- Teachers are saving time by marking assessments with the students on their surfaces, rather than taking them away to mark.
- MATs have millions (perhaps billions) of pounds sitting in their bank accounts for emergencies. He thinks some of that money should be spent on ICT projects.
