Everything ICT

05/06/2026

Refurbished devices are increasingly part of the conversation for schools looking to balance cost, sustainability and long-term ICT planning.

But they need the same level of scrutiny as any other procurement decision. Warranty, performance, support, grading and suitability all matter.

Our latest blog looks at what schools should consider when comparing refurbished and new devices, and where each can fit within a wider device lifecycle strategy.

everythingict.org/refurbished-vs-new-devices-what-schools-should-consider/

New or refurbished devices? What schools should consider around cost, sustainability, support, warranty and long-term value.

05/06/2026

World Environment Day is a reminder that sustainability is shaped by the decisions organisations make every day, including in education.

This year’s focus on climate action highlights the importance of long-term thinking around energy use, infrastructure, procurement and the technology schools rely on.

In ICT, sustainability is increasingly part of strategic planning, from device lifecycle planning and energy efficiency to responsible procurement and disposal.

For schools and trusts, it is another reason to look at how technology decisions are planned, purchased and managed over time.

04/06/2026

It’s National AI Awareness Day, a good opportunity for schools to run just one simple activity that helps build AI literacy.

As conversations around AI continue, it is becoming increasingly important for schools to create space for practical discussion around how these tools are being used, where they can help, and where clear boundaries, guidance and safeguarding considerations are needed.

For many schools, that may start with a simple classroom activity, tutor-time discussion or staff conversation around appropriate use, critical thinking and digital responsibility.

It does not need to be a large-scale initiative to be useful. One focused conversation is often enough to start surfacing the right questions.

03/06/2026

A school cyber attack can escalate quickly, and the first hour matters.

Schools and MATs need a calm, structured response that focuses on containment, protecting pupils and staff, preserving evidence, communicating carefully and keeping essential operations running.

Knowing who to contact, what systems to secure and how to move into recovery can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.
https://everythingict.org/what-to-do-in-the-first-hour-of-a-school-cyber-attack/

Learn what to do in the first hour of a school cyber attack, including how to contain the incident, protect data, preserve evidence and start recovery.

02/06/2026

The IT hardware market remains under significant pressure, and education organisations are feeling the impact.

We’re continuing to see:

• Hardware price increases across key device categories, with manufacturers and suppliers responding to rising memory, storage and component costs

• Shorter quote validity windows, meaning prices can change before internal approvals are completed

• Increasing pressure on supplier lead times, particularly where specific models, configurations or delivery dates are required

• Limited ability for suppliers to guarantee stock availability or pricing until orders are confirmed

• Continued demand linked to Windows 10 end-of-support replacement programmes, which are now a live compliance, security and refresh-planning issue for many schools and trusts

For schools and trusts working within structured governance, budgeting and approval processes, these conditions create very real procurement challenges. The timing is especially difficult as many organisations are already planning device refreshes, classroom technology upgrades and wider digital strategy investments.

Everything ICT continues to work closely with education customers to provide transparent market updates, compliant procurement routes and practical planning support, helping schools and trusts make informed decisions before budgets are stretched further.

Are you seeing similar pressures when planning device refreshes for the next academic year?

02/06/2026

For many schools, the weeks after summer half-term are when planning for larger ICT projects really starts to gather pace.

With the summer holidays approaching, it’s a key time to firm up priorities, confirm timelines and make procurement decisions for work that is much easier to complete when schools are quieter.

That might include network upgrades, device refreshes, telephony installations, infrastructure maintenance or other improvements ahead of the new academic year.

What ICT projects is your school planning for the summer break?

29/05/2026

As half-term comes to an end, it is worth asking how well your school’s systems would cope if something went wrong.

Cyber resilience is not just about the technology you have in place. It is also about whether the right people, processes and checks are ready when they are needed — from restoring backups and responding to alerts, to managing access.

Before everyone returns after the break, it can be worth checking what is working, what is being monitored and where there may be gaps.

A short review now can help ensure systems are not only protected, but ready to recover quickly if needed.

26/05/2026

As schools plan for the landline switch-off, it is not always the main phone system that causes challenges.

Many sites have hidden dependencies on analogue lines — including alarm systems, lift emergency phones, entry systems and even some payment terminals.

These connections are not always well documented, which can make them easy to overlook until they stop working as expected.

Taking time to identify what relies on analogue infrastructure can help schools avoid unexpected disruption and plan any changes more effectively.

22/05/2026

Sustainable ICT often overlaps with value for money.

Refurbished devices, longer replacement cycles and reduced waste can:
• Lower upfront costs
• Reduce disposal impact
• Support environmental commitments

Everything ICT can help schools plan sustainable ICT goals through compliant procurement routes.

21/05/2026

AI is already finding its way into classrooms, staff workflows and student use, often faster than schools can formally respond.

Pearson’s 2026 School and College Report (https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/global-store/en-gb/schools/insights-and-events/topics/school-report/2026/school-and-college-report-2026.pdf) found that only 54% of secondary school and college educators said their institution has an AI policy, highlighting how many education settings are still formalising their approach.

For schools and MATs, clear guidance can help set expectations, reduce risk and give staff and students a shared understanding of what responsible use looks like.

An AI policy is not about restricting use. It is about helping schools make confident, informed decisions as AI use continues to develop.

https://everythingict.org/what-should-schools-include-in-an-ai-policy/

Create a clear AI policy for schools with guidance on acceptable use, data protection, safeguarding, staff responsibilities and responsible AI use.