The FitzWimarc School ~ IT & Networks Services Tender

The successful Supplier will be required to provide IT & Networks services for The FitzWimarc School.

The FitzWimarc School is a mixed comprehensive of 1794 pupils and circa 231 teaching and support staff. It has served the town of Rayleigh for 90 years and has a long tradition of excellence in education. The school has consistently achieved examination results that have been well above national averages.

The successful Supplier will be required to provide IT & Networks services for The FitzWimarc School.

The FitzWimarc School is a mixed comprehensive of 1794 pupils and circa 231 teaching and support staff. It has served the town of Rayleigh for 90 years and has a long tradition of excellence in education. The school has consistently achieved examination results that have been well above national averages.

The School is within scope of the Department for Education School Rebuilding Programme and this transition shall take place within the period of this contract.

The School is looking for an IT service partner that can not only manage and support the IT network, both currently and in the future, but that also add value through proactive recommendations and enhancements that will support The FitzWimarc School’s strategy and growth. The aim is to support and enhance the current IT provision in school, both for academic and administrative purposes. Proven expertise in the proactive development of IT Systems in an Educational Environment is essential.

The selected service provider shall be:

•Fully conversant with evolving legislation regarding the provision of IT & Network Services in a Secondary School environment

•Required to evidence their Quality Assurance and Security Systems

•Required to evidence their proposed Key Performance Indicator measures for the contract

•Required to periodically present performance reporting and systems development recommendations to Governors

•Qualified to provide advice and support School IT & Network Services Hardware & Software Procurement activities

• Experienced in Network design in a Secondary School environment

The contract will provide onsite support, including maintenance, via the on-site technician and apprentice, located in school 5 days a week 52 weeks of the year.

Comprehensive off-site system support is required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Maintenance and System Development activities shall be undertaken out with the 190 academic term-time days to minimise any disruption to pupil education and teaching activities.

The contract will commence on 1 August 2025 for an initial period of three years, ending 31 July 2028, with the opportunity to extend for a further period of up to two years at the discretion of the governing body.

The contract will provide Technical Management and on-site technicians, to the Schools ICT Infrastructure, including:

•Full server support and monitoring

•Fully Managed Helpdesk with Remote Support

•Full workstation support, software support, hardware support and repairs

•Staff, Governor’s and Student email accounts and access setup and management.

•Proactive contract management to ensure best value for money across all areas of management systems and utilities.

•MIS Support (including amongst other things Finance, CCTV and cashless catering systems)

•24/7/365 network monitoring with call out and emergency 24/7/365 contact

The contract will be monitored by Senior School Representatives.

After the initial consultation and evaluation by the new contractor, regular fortnightly meetings will be held with the on-site technician to discuss day to day issues and actions taken and scheduled.

TUPE will apply with regard to the (52-week contract) IT Technician and apprentice currently employed for the provision of network services

It is anticipated that the service provider will be available to train and coach staff, where needed, in the use of new hardware / software as it is introduced. There may be occasions where the technician is required to provide support in ICT classes. This will be planned and added in to the work schedule.

The projected cost of Network Services, including employment costs, for the current year is circa £124K

See SQ Document for more information