FREE GUIDE
SCHOOL
DIGITAL
STRATEGY
GUIDE
New school digital strategy guide out now!
With more technology in schools than ever before, it makes sense to have a digital strategy in place that embraces how your edtech can be used effectively – not only for teaching and learning, but to improve efficiency, save time and money, and more.
Part of this process is understanding:
- What EdTech the school has
- How it’s used
- How to use it more effectively.
Just as remote learning tools surged during the pandemic, AI tools are now rapidly emerging across education – supporting both students and staff from primary through to higher education. While AI brings clear opportunities (and risks), it’s an increasingly important element that must be considered alongside the many other components that shape a sustainable, long-term school digital strategy.
Join Al Kingsley and Mark Anderson at Bett UK 2026 on stand SH50 for the launch of their new school digital strategy guide, which explores how schools can thoughtfully align AI with wider educational and technology developments. Visitors can access a free copy of the guide, designed to help schools clearly define what they want technology to achieve, why it matters, and how it supports teaching, learning and curriculum goals – all while remaining realistic about budget planning, today and into the future.
Get your free digital copy here!
Get your hard copy here!
Please note, hard copies are only available for those based in the UK and are charged at £7.30 per guide (includes free delivery).
About the authors…
MARK ANDERSON
Mark is the Head of Education at NetSupport and has thirty years of experience in education, twenty of which were spent at the chalk face as a teacher and school leader. He is also an independent strategic consultant, trainer and keynote speaker, and has written several books, most recently co-authoring the best-selling The EdTech Playbook.
Mark is a founding fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, sits on the BCS (Chartered Institute of IT) Schools and Colleges Committee and is an Independent Thinking Associate. In addition to his writing, presenting and broadcasting, he has recently collaborated with the BBC as the education and AI consultant on its Bitesize Guide to AI resource.
LIZ BURY
Liz is Group Editorial Manager at NetSupport. She has 15 years of senior copywriting and editing experience across the education, EdTech and corporate technology sectors – defining and maintaining the company’s editorial house style across all markets, creating compelling marketing copy and resources, and collaborating with technical teams to ensure consistency and clarity in UI wording and supporting documentation.
AL KINGSLEY
Al Kingsley MBE is CEO of NetSupport, Chair of his region’s Governors’ Leadership Group and Chair of his regional SEND Board. He also sits on the Regional Schools Director’s Advisory Board for the East of England and is Chair of the BESA EdTech Special Interest Group.
Al is a well-known authority in EdTech and AI worldwide. He is the author of four books, his most recent being The Awkward Questions in Education – and has contributed to many more. He is also an ambassador for both the Digital Poverty Alliance and the East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. In 2025, he was awarded an MBE for services to education in His Majesty the King’s New Year’s Honours list.
Shaping a comprehensive digital strategy
Digital strategy is something that we are passionate about at NetSupport. Technology in schools is too important and expensive to leave to chance.
Alongside the information in our School Digital Strategy Guide, the Government’s Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges document is an excellent resource for schools to check in with as they look at updating their digital strategies.
NetSupport’s products can support your school to operate in line with this guidance, too! Here are a few examples of key recommendations and how our products can help…
Designate a senior leadership role for digital strategy:
This critical step ensures a clear leadership role focused on integrating digital technology within the school’s strategic planning. The designated leader will oversee the technology’s alignment with educational goals and manage its implementation effectively.
Our solution, NetSupport DNA, enables them to administer their digital strategy effectively. Its management features provide a clear overview of technology use, helping the designated leader align tech with educational goals.
Maintain accurate technology inventory records:
An accurate inventory of digital assets is essential for informed decision-making and avoiding unnecessary expenditure. NetSupport DNA automates this process, offering detailed reports on hardware and software assets, simplifying the maintenance of technology inventory records and ensuring financial efficiency.
Maintain accurate technology inventory records:
An accurate inventory of digital assets is essential for informed decision-making and avoiding unnecessary expenditure. NetSupport DNA automates this process, offering detailed reports on hardware and software assets, simplifying the maintenance of technology inventory records and ensuring financial efficiency.
Integrate digital technology into disaster recovery plans:
The guidance emphasises how important it is to include digital infrastructure in the school’s disaster recovery and business continuity planning. This is essential for minimising disruption to teaching and learning activities in the event of a cyber-attack or other technology-related incidents.
Whilst NetSupport DNA is not a disaster recovery solution, its ability to provide real-time monitoring and alerts can be invaluable in identifying potential issues before they escalate. Its IT asset management capabilities, along with the hardware and software inventory capabilities in the technician tools found in NetSupport School and classroom.cloud, ensure that technology used in teaching and learning is effectively maintained and supported, reducing the risk of technology-related disruptions.
Regularly review and update the digital strategy:
Don’t let your digital strategy be a one-time activity! It requires an annual review (at the very least) to ensure it remains relevant and effective. This process should assess the impact of current technologies and identify emerging needs, allowing the school to adjust the strategy accordingly to meet the evolving educational and technological landscape.
NetSupport DNA and classroom.cloud offer data-driven insights that can inform the continuous review and refinement of a school’s digital strategy. NetSupport DNA‘s reporting tools provide analytics on technology usage, security risk and cost-saving opportunities, while NetSupport School‘s feedback tools can help evaluate the effectiveness of technology in teaching and learning processes.
Regularly review and update the digital strategy:
Don’t let your digital strategy be a one-time activity! It requires an annual review (at the very least) to ensure it remains relevant and effective. This process should assess the impact of current technologies and identify emerging needs, allowing the school to adjust the strategy accordingly to meet the evolving educational and technological landscape.
NetSupport DNA and classroom.cloud offer data-driven insights that can inform the continuous review and refinement of a school’s digital strategy. NetSupport DNA‘s reporting tools provide analytics on technology usage, security risk and cost-saving opportunities, while NetSupport School‘s feedback tools can help evaluate the effectiveness of technology in teaching and learning processes.
Prioritise cybersecurity measures:
With cyber threats increasing, schools must implement robust cybersecurity measures. This includes regular software updates and secure password policies, as well as educating staff and students about the importance of cybersecurity.
NetSupport DNA includes a range of features designed to enhance a school’s cybersecurity and safeguarding provision. Its internet safety tools, application and internet metering, and restriction capabilities ensure that students are protected from harmful content when online, while also providing the data necessary to educate them on safe internet practices. In addition, our remote support solution, 247connect, is built on a zero-trust foundation and provides a simple and secure way to support all of your staff and student devices.
Focus on professional development in digital skills:
Continuous professional development in digital technologies for staff is essential to enable them to make the most of it in their roles. Training should focus on both using existing technologies effectively and integrating new tools into the curriculum.
classroom.cloud and NetSupport School excel in supporting professional development for teachers by providing them with the tools to deliver engaging and interactive lessons. And with the ability to facilitate real-time assessment, monitoring and collaboration in the classroom, they enhance teaching and learning experiences and help teachers to develop their digital competencies.
Focus on professional development in digital skills:
Continuous professional development in digital technologies for staff is essential to enable them to make the most of it in their roles. Training should focus on both using existing technologies effectively and integrating new tools into the curriculum.
classroom.cloud and NetSupport School excel in supporting professional development for teachers by providing them with the tools to deliver engaging and interactive lessons. And with the ability to facilitate real-time assessment, monitoring and collaboration in the classroom, they enhance teaching and learning experiences and help teachers to develop their digital competencies.
Read our School Digital Strategy Guide!
Our School Digital Strategy Guide has a wealth of information, tips and considerations that can feed into your school’s digital plans, so you can ensure a comprehensive approach to technology integration that is strategic and responsive to your context.
By considering these actionable points, you can enhance your digital infrastructure, safeguard against potential risks, and, most importantly, enhance students’ learning experiences while helping to reduce colleagues’ workloads with digital tools that support teaching and learning.
