Stay informed with the latest developments and guidance from the IT team. Here are some recent updates and reminders to help ensure smooth operations and security across the trust: 

Recent Updates:

• IT Helpdesk Relaunch: Launching the week of 20th January 2025, our refreshed IT Helpdesk will feature a redesigned portal with a help-bot and “Meet the Team” section, enhanced self-help articles, new training resources, improved call handling for faster support, and updated posters to raise awareness of the service.

• Arbor Phishing Attempt Alert – A recent phishing campaign is targeting Arbor customers with emails falsely claiming to be from Arbor, requesting outstanding invoices. Please be aware of phishing risks by reading Arbor's guide on spotting phishing attacks. Please report any suspicious emails to the IT Helpdesk. To spot legitimate Arbor emails, verify the sender's email address ending in '@arbor-education.com', hover over links to inspect URLs, and avoid opening attachments from untrusted sources. Report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and fraud to Action Fraud.

• Reminder for Managing Supply Accounts: Please ensure passwords for supply accounts are changed immediately after the supply teacher’s time with the school ends. Submit a ticket to the IT Helpdesk to request this.

• IT Team’s 2024 Success: Our IT Services Team had an incredible year in 2024, resolving over 14,000 tickets and finishing the year with fewer than 20 outstanding. This is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. If you have the opportunity, please thank your IT staff for their continued efforts in supporting schools across the trust.

• Staff Leavers Protocols: To ensure security and compliance, all staff business roles in Arbor have accurate end dates. Once the end date is reached, the staff member’s access to Arbor, Office 365, and other systems will automatically deactivate. This process is crucial for managing user accounts securely. If you need assistance with this, please contact the Data Team for guidance.

• IT Purchases Reminder: All IT-related purchases, including equipment, software, and services, must be approved by the Head of IT & Data before purchase. This ensures proper procurement processes, budget alignment, and system compatibility have been considered. Additionally, GDPR compliance is essential, and a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) may be required. Please notify the helpdesk if your school has made any IT purchases not yet reported, so they can be appropriately tracked and managed.

• Scam Warning: One of our schools recently received a scam call from someone claiming to be from “the police,” discussing promotional materials and invoices. Similar scams have targeted other schools with unsolicited packages followed by attempts to issue fake invoices. Please remind your office teams and staff to remain vigilant and only accept calls or deliveries from verified sources.

What’s Coming Next?

• IT Training and Support: We’ll continue to expand and improve our IT guides and video resources in the Helpdesk and IT Training Library. In addition, we’ll be offering bite-sized training sessions, with a schedule to be confirmed shortly, to ensure easy access to essential learning for staff. Please let us know if any bespoke training or guides are required in the meantime, and we’ll be happy to produce or provide them.
   
• AI Developments
  We’re embracing AI to revolutionise teaching, learning, and operations across the Trust. AI tools will support personalised education, data analysis, and predictive insights, automating administrative tasks to reduce staff workload. We are currently running small pilot's across our trust and consulting with industry experts to create a comprehensive Trust-wide AI strategy. We would love your input on how AI can benefit our work. Please share any thoughts via this feedback survey: https://forms.office.com/e/HS67jiKn3q.
   
• Intranet Upgrade's
  We will be upgrading our school intranet sites to give staff easier access to central resources and shared services. This update will enhance communication and collaboration, helping staff to find what they need more efficiently and connect with colleagues across the Trust. Stay tuned for further details on the rollout and how it will benefit your daily work.
   
• Unified IT Systems
  The majority of our devices are now running Windows 11, and we’ll ensure all remaining devices are upgraded by the end of this academic year. Alongside this, we’re upgrading key IT services, including print management, visitor management, and access control, to enhance operational efficiency, achieve cost savings, and improve security. Additionally, we’re migrating to more serverless solutions where possible, streamlining infrastructure, and upgrading existing servers to further optimise performance and scalability across the Trust.

We’re Here to Help

Do you have a query or suggestion for this page? Please let us know:
Email: it@crst.org.uk
Phone: 0121 817 7000