How to realise some quick and fundamental resource

savingsBilly Downie – Headteacher, The Streetly

School

The National Context

The Streetly Context

2008 – 20105 Cover Supervisors (5 x £20k pa)

Staff absence – Average to Below Average

Cover Budget 2009-2010 - £75k (Actual Spend - £41k)

Cover Budget 2008-2009 - £95k (Actual Spend - £40k)

Including Maternity

Total (2009 – 2010) = £141k

2010-2011

2 Cover Supervisors (2 x 20k)

Staff Absence (Below average – mainly long term/Maternity)

Cover Budget 2010-2011 – £40k (Actual Spend £42k)

Including Maternity

Total £82k

Savings = £59k

The SolutionThe “Frog” Room

What is “The Frog Room”?

Previously a split level classroom/drama space?

11 metres x 12 Metres (132 m2)

Only slightly bigger than an average classroom

Now 1 large IT suite

80 machines = £32k

Benching/Wiring/Furniture/Aircon = £23k

Total cost = £55k

Frog Room Layout

The Geeky Bit2 x Dell Servers. Currently hosting 80 machines, but scalable up to 100-120 Thin Clients depending on client usage

iGEL Thin Clients. Very low power devices.

All programs are run on the servers, the Thin Client simply processes the Keyboard, Mouse and image updates.

Benefits of Thin ClientVery low power consumption

80 Thin Client PCs (15 Watts) @ 10 per KW/hr. 7 Hours per day x 190 school days = £159.60

Server Power (2 x Servers @ 350 Watts x 24 Hours x 365 Days = £613.20

= . Total £772.80 80 Normal PCs (100 Watts) @ 10p per KWhr. 7 Hours per day x 190

school days = £1,064

Low heat output from machines. Even with 80 machines heat is comparable to a normal computer suite with 30 Computers.

It’s cheap! Works out at about £400 per device and should last 5 years.

With the necessary licensing the same servers can provide remote access during non-school times to students/staff, utilising the same hardware saving further costs.

Low maintenance costs. No moving components reduce the chances of them breaking.

Silent. Again no moving components means no noise.

How do we staff it?

Cover Supervisors

Senior Leadership

Staff under allocation

Where does Frog fit in?

All cover lesson work set on Frog

Routine is very clear (Come in – Sit down – Log on – Log on – Check Assignments – Continue Learning)

Wide variety of tasks assigned from whole lessons to “Quick assign”

All planned absences are advised to set work on Frog

Some unplanned absences can/do do this also

Benefits (Apart from the

£60k)Less cover

Easily meets “Rarely Cover” guidance

Considerably more flexibility for the Cover Secretary

Easier to “get students working”

Maintains connection with learning

Facilitates LOSC work setting

Creates far less disruption than lessons with supply teachers

Students prefer it

Most staff prefer it.

Future PlansEven greater use of Frog to set more complex tasks

Closer link to the PEP regarding work completed in a cover lesson

The Frog Room Mk II?