Entry name: SRSCMAT IT Support Team
Describe your entry, including why you should win:
St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust (SRSCMAT) is a large and diverse Trust of 25 schools (5 secondary, 20 primary) supporting over 10,000 pupils across the East Midlands. In 2023–25, the Trust’s IT Support Team delivered a major digital transformation initiative: Project Janus.
Before Project Janus, the Trust faced fragmented, outdated IT across its schools:
Legacy on-prem servers and file storage
Poorly performing networks
Inconsistent device management
High staff frustration and wasted teaching time
Project Janus was a systemic change programme designed and delivered entirely in-house by the Trust’s 15-strong IT Support Team. The project aimed to:
Transform infrastructure — rebuild networks, migrate devices to cloud-first management, decommission legacy servers
Enhance staff experience — provide fast, reliable access to digital tools, improve staff confidence, and reduce technical barriers to teaching
Improve the student experience — ensure seamless access to lessons and learning resources across classrooms
Key achievements:
Migration of over 6,000 devices to cloud-first management
Redesigned networks in all schools — close to 100% classroom connectivity
Deployment of a unified Staff Portal to simplify access to systems and support
Measurable reductions in support tickets (up to 70% in some schools)
Significant uplift in staff satisfaction and digital confidence
Enabling flexible and remote working across the Trust
Stronger cyber resilience
Importantly, Project Janus was delivered with minimal capital expenditure, thanks to the in-house model. The only costs were small amounts of new networking equipment or replacement end-user devices where required. This made the transformation highly sustainable and affordable.
Why we should win:
Project Janus is an example of true digital transformation — not just new technology, but a progressive change in practices, processes, and culture across the organisation. The project is strongly aligned with the Jisc Digital Transformation Framework, and has resulted in:
An improved working environment for staff
A better digital learning experience for pupils
A sustainable platform for future innovation (including AI and VR being trialled this year)
Led from within the organisation, Project Janus shows how education Trusts can achieve long-lasting digital transformation that supports teaching, learning, and staff wellbeing — making it a strong candidate for this year’s award.
Describe the impact of your work internally and externally, on your students, colleagues and peers, how it was developed, and what others could learn from your work?
Internal impact:
Project Janus has transformed the digital environment across SRSCMAT’s 25 schools, directly improving both staff and student experiences.
For staff:
Faster logins and reliable connectivity have reduced teaching disruption.
Staff now access a unified Staff Portal for key resources and support.
A new digital culture has emerged — with increased confidence and use of EdTech in lessons.
Staff are now empowered to work flexibly — including from home or other schools.
For students:
Smoother lesson delivery — technical issues no longer interrupt teaching.
Enhanced engagement with EdTech tools in classrooms.
More consistent access to digital learning, supporting better educational outcomes.
For the IT team and wider organisation:
Ticket volumes reduced by up to 70% in some schools, freeing time for proactive work.
Cross-school collaboration has improved — with consistent systems and shared best practices.
The IT Support Team has built a replicable in-house model for sustainable digital transformation.
External impact:
Project Janus has generated significant interest among peers in the education sector. SRSCMAT now serves as an example of how a large MAT can deliver transformation without major capital investment or outsourcing.
Other Trusts and schools can learn from:
The agile “blitz” approach — transforming each site in weeks, not months.
The power of staff consultation and engagement — ensuring change is led by educational needs.
A focus on sustainability — using in-house expertise and minimal costs to achieve systemic change.
Development of the project:
Project Janus was developed entirely in-house:
A detailed audit identified infrastructure issues and staff pain points.
A project model was created — aligned to the Jisc Digital Transformation Framework.
Iterative improvement — with lessons from each school feeding into future rollouts.
The project was shaped by close engagement with teaching staff, SLT, and the wider Trust.
What others can learn:
Project Janus shows that:
Systemic change is possible at low cost if underpinned by clear vision, leadership and internal capability.
Transformation should focus on people and culture, not just technology.
Embedding sustainable, flexible IT prepares schools for future innovation — such as AI and VR.
Cross-sector collaboration can spread these approaches — SRSCMAT’s model is now being shared with other MATs.
Please describe how your work is aligned with CMALT & FELT principles?
Project Janus — the digital transformation initiative delivered across SRSCMAT — is strongly aligned with both the CMALT and FELT principles in both its design and impact.
Commitment to professional development (CMALT):
A core principle of Project Janus was empowering staff to use digital technology effectively in their teaching. The project did not simply “install” new systems — it included:
Pre-project consultations to assess staff needs and digital confidence
Tailored training during and after implementation
Ongoing support through a newly developed Staff Portal and in-house helpdesk
As a result, staff across the Trust have reported increased digital confidence and are now better able to integrate EdTech into their teaching.
A learner-centred approach (CMALT & FELT):
Project Janus was designed to remove technology as a barrier to learning — creating an environment where:
Pupils can access lessons without delays caused by unreliable IT
Teachers can confidently use digital tools to enhance engagement
Classroom time is maximised, with minimal disruption from technical issues
Evidence-based practice (CMALT):
The Trust’s approach was built on clear evidence:
A 3rd party survey showed fewer than 1% of schools nationally were fully cloud-based
Internal ticket data demonstrated where legacy systems were failing
Ongoing metrics (support volumes, satisfaction scores, staff feedback) were used to continuously improve delivery
Enabling innovation (CMALT & FELT):
By moving to a modern, resilient digital platform, the Trust is now able to explore new areas of EdTech:
AI tools and VR are being trialled from autumn 2025
The in-house IT team has built capability to support these innovations sustainably
Project Janus has provided the foundation for future pedagogical innovation — led by staff needs and student outcomes.
Communication and collaboration (CMALT):
Project Janus was delivered through extensive collaboration:
Between the central IT Support Team and school leaders, teachers and staff
Through open dialogue before, during and after each school’s transformation
By sharing best practice across the Trust, so that schools learn from each other
Supporting learning and teaching (FELT):
Ultimately, the success of Project Janus is measured in its positive impact on learning and teaching:
Staff have more reliable access to digital tools that enrich lessons
Pupils experience more seamless, engaging digital learning
Teaching time is protected from IT-related interruptions
In these ways, Project Janus exemplifies how a large education Trust can transform its digital environment in a way that fully reflects the CMALT and FELT principles.
Supporting evidence: