Spotlight – Our Director of IT as a service

At PSP we acknowledge the financial pressures within the education sector and we have developed a tailored solution which delivers for schools, academies and multi-academy trusts, letting them harness our experts with over 20 years of experience in independent and mainstream education at an affordable cost.  

Our Director of IT as a Service (DITaaS) can help academies and multi-academy trusts align with the Department for Education’s (DfE) Technology Standards by providing strategic guidance and expert oversight in the following key areas: 

• Infrastructure: DITaaS ensures the IT infrastructure meets the DfE’s requirements for reliability, scalability and security, such as high-speed internet and cloud services.
• Cybersecurity and Data Protection: They can develop cybersecurity strategies, including risk management, incident response and ensuring compliance with GDPR.
• Effective Use of Technology: DITaaS helps schools adopt digital tools that enhance teaching, learning and operational efficiency, aligning with the DfE's goal of integrating technology in education effectively.
• Procurement and Vendor Management: By managing vendor relationships, DITaaS ensures schools invest in technology that meets the DfE’s cost-effectiveness and future-proofing standards.
• Support for Staff and Students: DITaaS can implement helpdesk services, ensuring timely support for staff and students, which is essential for maintaining operational standards and achieving DfE goals. 

By managing these areas effectively, DITaaS ensures that schools not only meet but exceed the DfE’s Technology Standards, promoting a secure, efficient and technologically forward educational environment. Full details of the DfE Technology Standards can be found here. 

What are the cost savings: Comparing DITaaS Against the Average Director of IT Salary?  

In addition to the strategic and operational benefits of DITaaS, the financial advantages are substantial when comparing it to hiring a full-time Director of IT. The average salary for a Director of IT in the UK ranges from £70,000 to £100,000 per year. On top of this, schools and MATs must account for on-costs, such as national insurance contributions, pensions and other benefits, which can add an additional 20% to 30% to the total cost. This pushes the overall annual cost of hiring a full-time IT director to around £85,000 to £130,000. 

For many academies, this level of expenditure is simply not sustainable, particularly given the tight budgets under which many schools operate. By comparison, DITaaS allows schools to access IT leadership on a part-time or project basis, dramatically reducing costs while still receiving high-quality expertise. Schools typically pay only for the specific services they need, which could mean engaging a DITaaS provider for a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire, potentially saving 50% to 70% depending on the school’s requirements. 

Breakdown of Costs: 

• Full-Time Director of IT: £85,000 to £130,000 (including on-costs).
• DITaaS (Outsourced): Costs vary depending on service level, but for many schools, this could result in annual expenditures in the range of £30,000 to £50,000, providing significant savings without compromising on strategic IT leadership. 

Key Cost Savings Benefits with DITaaS: 

• Reduced Staffing Costs: Schools avoid the long-term financial commitment of a permanent hire, paying only for the services they need.
• No Recruitment Costs: Engaging DITaaS eliminates the costs of recruiting, hiring and training a new IT director, which can run into thousands of pounds.
• Avoidance of On-Costs: With DITaaS, schools do not bear the burden of pension contributions, national insurance, or other employee benefits. 

An Example: 

A MAT with ten schools explored the costs of hiring a full-time Director of IT versus the Director of IT as a service. The full-time role would have cost the trust approximately £110,000 annually when factoring in salary, pension and national insurance. By opting for DITaaS on our outsourced model, the trust paid £45,000 per year, achieving nearly 60% in cost savings while still benefiting from expert IT leadership. 

Our Director of IT as a Service: Why is it different to other providers? 

The Blend of On-Site and Off-Site Support and Why Face-to-Face Interaction is Crucial. 

While Director of IT as a Service (DITaaS) offers flexibility through remote support, on-site presence plays a vital role in educational IT management. A blend of both on-site and off-site support provides a holistic solution that balances strategic and operational needs. 

1. Face-to-Face Builds Trust and Collaboration 

On-site interaction allows the Director of IT to build stronger relationships with leadership teams, teachers and administrative staff. This personal touch facilitates better communication, making it easier to understand unique school challenges and offer tailored IT solutions. Regular face-to-face meetings help stakeholders feel confident in IT decisions, fostering collaboration and trust, which are harder to achieve solely through remote interactions. 

2. Hands-On Problem Solving 

Certain technical issues, such as hardware malfunctions, network problems, or physical security concerns, require hands-on solutions. While remote support can handle software issues, an on-site presence ensures that immediate attention is given to any physical IT infrastructure issues. Having the Director of IT at the school on the agreed days in the service ensures that these critical problems are resolved quickly, reducing downtime and disruptions. 

3. Training and Staff Development 

Face-to-face interactions are particularly valuable when delivering training to staff and students. The Director of IT can provide hands-on workshops, offer one-on-one support and answer real-time questions, making it easier for staff to adopt new technology systems or follow cybersecurity protocols. Training delivered in person often results in higher engagement and retention than purely online or remote sessions. 

4. Tailored Strategic Planning 

While a remote DITaaS provider can manage many tasks, strategic discussions around IT direction and the school's technology roadmap are often best handled in person. Face-to-face meetings allow for richer conversations about the school's specific educational goals, technology challenges and growth strategies. This ensures that the technology roadmap is deeply integrated with the school’s needs and culture. 

5. On-Site Audits and Inspections 

On-site audits are vital for assessing the current IT infrastructure, from the physical layout of servers and networking equipment to the security of devices used across the school. These inspections allow the Director of IT to identify gaps, potential risks and areas for improvement that may not be as evident through remote assessments. 

6. Crisis Management 

In the event of a major IT incident or system failure, having the Director of IT come to the school provides rapid response to ensure minimal disruption to school operations. Whether it’s addressing a network outage or a cybersecurity breach, on-site presence ensures quicker resolution and real-time coordination with on-site IT staff. 

Meet one of our Directors of IT

Scott has worked in the education sector for over 20 years starting initially in mainstream schools, then moving into the independent sector before joining PSP in 2022 where he supports several of our schools. He has experience at director level, providing the technology vision and strategy linking that in with the pedagogy and operational aspirations of schools and using technology as a tool to support this. He has managed multiple workstreams; IT support provision, infrastructure, cloud services, data and development, as well as leading multiple projects from infrastructure refreshes to MIS and Finance platform migrations. Outside of work he enjoys watching Formula 1 and the darts, he is a Chair of Governor for a local academy and sits on the technology management board for a multi-academy trust.  

At PSP Outsourced IT, we understand the complexities and challenges that come with complicated IT infrastructures. With over 16 years of experience providing digital transformation services and a team of 34 in-house IT experts, we are uniquely positioned to help you navigate these challenges, so let's talk.