FORUMS OF THE STB
To receive a summary of progress from:-
TMs Forum – Update from Gladys Berry, chair of TMs forum.
ICT Forum – Update from the Chair - Paul Guenault
Any additional ICT update Eugene Cash ICT procurement lead
Minutes:
The board heard from Gladys Berry, Chair of the TM’s Forum, who informed the meeting of the work being completed on improvement plans and how BSF would be permeated throughout these plans to ensure that any future inspection would clearly identify where developments in BSF have had an impact.
The board were informed that a significant feature of the TM’s Forum discussions was anxiety conveyed about the amount of work to be completed by the 1st of September for ICT implementation in what would be a busy time of year for schools. It was explained by the BSF team that Stage D (planning, design and construction) of the process would address change planning and planning of priorities. Concern regarding capacity was raised as an issue by the board and the lack of clarity given regarding an interim ICT service and the schools allowed impact on this. There was also a need to keep in mind that Transformation Managers had other roles to fulfil i.e. examination and work on a new curriculum. It was recommend that the discussions with the MSP would need to involve a range of staff as by September there would need to be a clear strategy on the roll out of ICT and a need to look at how the capacity in schools is supported.
A further view expressed by the board was the need to keep in mind the essentials of the ICT contract which was crucial and would only be clear once the contract was received and work started.
The BSF team recognised that schools were at the peak of ICT and building planning activity and were fully aware of the leadership achieved by schools to reach this level of activity. The board noted the offered support from the BSF team as appointment of the MSP would lead to more detailed work being required and there was a need for organisation to minimise impact. It was important for the board to keep in mind that the ability to respond would have been enabled by the high quality of work already achieved.
The board spoke about the end of the Procurement process for ICT which would require further time commitments from schools and therefore asked that this be addressed as a programme issue. The board felt there needed to be a suitable recognition of the engagement taken in the procurement process by schools outside of school time.
The board agreed that there be a public recognition, at the appropriate time, of key persons involved in the ICT project. The board further agreed that there is recognition of the work completed at the next BSF board meeting on the 01 April.
Update from the ICT Forum
The board received a verbal update from Paul Renault the ICT forum representative.
The board learned that Nowshad Choudhury had been appointed to the post of ICT service delivery manager. The ICT strategic lead post had been approved and the appointment to this post was in progress. It was reported ... view the full minutes text for item 27