Here is Billy Downie’s presentation from The National Learning Platforms Conference. Billy spoke in the Discover session ‘How to realise some quick and fundamental resource savings’.

1. How to realise some quick and fundamental resource savings Billy Downie – Headteacher, The Streetly School

2. The National Context

3. The Streetly Context 2008 – 2010 5 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

4. The Solution The “Frog” Room

5. What is “The Frog Room”? Previously a split level classroom/drama space? 11metres x 12 Metres(132m2) Only slightly bigger than an average classroom Now 1 large IT suite 80 machines = £32k Benching/Wiring/Furniture/Aircon = £23k Total cost = £55k

6. Frog Room Layout

7. The Geeky Bit 2 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.

8. Benefits of Thin Client Very 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.

9. How do we staff it? Cover Supervisors Senior Leadership Staff under allocation

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Future Plans Even 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?