IT leadership without the headcount
Many schools and trusts need senior IT leadership but cannot justify, or cannot recruit, a full-time IT manager or director. We provide experienced interim and part-time IT leadership so you get strategy, compliance and value for money without the full-time salary.
What fractional IT leadership covers
- Digital strategy aligned to your school development plan and the DfE digital and technology standards, including digital leadership and governance.
- Budget planning and technology refresh so devices and infrastructure are replaced on a plan, not in a crisis.
- Procurement and contract reviews: we check what you are paying for, what you actually use, and when contracts can be renegotiated.
- Managing your IT team or provider: setting priorities, measuring service and holding suppliers to account.
- Governor and trustee reporting on cyber risk, projects and spend.
- Policies and compliance: acceptable use, data protection, DPIAs, disaster recovery and change management.
- Interim cover during recruitment, restructures or academy conversion.
Why it works
According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/2026, only 73% of secondary schools have a governor or senior leader responsible for cyber security, and around 1 in 3 school IT leads were unsure whether their school even had cyber insurance. Senior IT oversight closes those gaps and gives your leadership team one trusted person to ask.
Keep up to date
Join School IT Intelligence, our free weekly briefing on cyber threats, Microsoft 365 changes, safeguarding and practical tips for school IT. For your technicians, the School IT Academy offers online cyber security and technical training built for schools.
Frequently asked questions
What is fractional or interim IT leadership?
It gives your school or trust an experienced IT leader for part of the week or for a fixed period, without the cost of a full-time IT manager or director. It is ideal during recruitment, restructures, academy conversion or major projects.
Can you manage our existing IT provider?
Yes. We can set priorities, review service levels and hold your provider to account, making sure you get the value you are paying for.
Do you report to governors and trustees?
Yes. We produce plain-English reports on cyber risk, projects and spend, and can attend governor or trust board meetings.
Not sure where to start? Give us one day in your school and we’ll show you where money is being wasted and where risk is hiding. Book your IT review day →