IT services for schools and academies

Suffolk County Council provide a range of IT services for schools, academies and multi-academy trusts based in Suffolk.

These services include supporting and training for Education Software Solutions (ESS), SIMS, Public Sector Network (PSN) compliant broadband circuits and secure cloud based remote backup services. We also work with partners to develop and deliver quality services tailored for education needs and budgets.

ESS SIMS 

Basic and enhanced support and training services for ESS School Information Management System (SIMS) for schools, academies and multi-academy trusts. SIMS.net and FMS licensing and support for LA maintained schools. 

SIMS service description

SIMS FAQs

Schools broadband circuits

Suffolk County Council has also been working with the Department for Education and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to obtain funding for Suffolk schools for full fibre 1Gb capable broadband connections. In these locations CityFibre dedicated fibre to the premise circuits are available throughout 2020/21 with no installation costs. Find out more about the Suffolk Cloud Network

Broadband service description and FAQs

Smoothwall web filtering

Suffolk schools’ broadband circuits include a managed firewall and Smoothwall web filtering service. The Smoothwall filtering service is designed to ensure that schools can meet their on-line safeguarding duties and legal mandates set out under the Prevent Duty and Keeping Children Safe Online.

Smoothwall service description and FAQs

Office 365 schools’ mailbox

This service delivers a managed O365 mailbox solution which provisions schools with a .suffolk.sch.uk email address using Microsoft A1 faculty licensing.

Once you have completed your form please email it to ITServicedesk@suffolk.gov.uk 

Suffolk schools’ cyber security

Cyber security is an ever-increasing challenge for all organisations with threats constantly evolving. It is important that we understand these threats and use technology effectively to ensure that children, staff and systems are protected.

Suffolk County Council is committed to help Suffolk schools with advice and resources to support them with the challenges of dealing with the growing cyber threats they face.

Redstor remote backup service

Suffolk County Council offers a fully managed backup service, where we monitor and resolve any issues with your Redstor backup. With this service we manage the amount of space you use and send alerts where you are getting close to the storage capacity you have purchased.

We also provide, through Redstor, services to schools and multi-academy trusts who wish to manage their own backups.

Withdrawing from RBUSS

This service is purchased annually on a 12-month rolling contract, in order to withdraw you must inform us in writing prior to the renewal dates:

  • 1 April for Local Authority Schools
  • 1 September for Academies.

If no notification to cease has been received, the service will continue and the school/academy will be charged for the full year.

If you have any questions about Redstor service or another IT service, contact the IT Service Desk on 01473 265555 or email ITServicedesk@suffolk.gov.uk.

IT Procurement services

We offer two procurement services, one for Local Authority (LA) Maintained schools that buy an Enhanced SIMS service and a second obtaining quotes on behalf of Schools/Academies.

IT Procurement service descriptions and FAQ’s

Contact us and service updates

Call IT Service Desk on 01473 265555 or email ITServicedesk@suffolk.gov.uk about our services.