Pudsey-based Next Generation IT is a forward-

thinking IT support and hardware supply

company, created specifically to meet the

diverse IT requirements encountered within

educational settings.

The business provides a comprehensive range of

digital solutions which equip the next generation

with compelling learning experiences and are

thoughtfully designed to create an environment

for academic achievement.

With over 30 years in the business, Next

Generation IT’s highly-skilled team of experts is

amongst the most experienced in the north. Next

Generation IT is the education support

department of Pudsey Computers. The company

started 30 years ago and is currently supporting

or supplying around 70 schools across Leeds,

Bradford and Kirklees.

Next Generation makes IT support

child’s play for Leeds school

IT support has changed beyond recognition at

Rothwell St Mary’s since specialist provider, Next

Generation has become the designated IT partner

for the school. Where previously there were several

providers passing the school from pillar to post,

Next Generation is now Rothwell St Mary’s

‘one-stop-shop’ for all IT support including the

school’s devices, server, SIMS system and

broadband.

The school now has a support partner it can trust

and IT literacy has improved school-wide.

• There is now one point of contact and dedicated

support to resolve any issues

• Sophisticated IT solutions are in place, on budget

and reviewed on a regular basis

• Children are confident using technology in their

everyday learning

• Staff are empowered with regular IT training

IT support was a huge challenge for Rothwell St

Mary’s Catholic Primary School, an outstanding

primary school of 210 children in South East Leeds.

Like many schools, SLA’s were in place with a

number of providers for each aspect of the school’s

IT needs, with each company purely working on its

own contracted area. This made it difficult for the

school to see its IT provision from a strategic level

as so much time was spent trying to resolve issues

with each individual company.

The school was using two servers which were dated

and slow. Curriculum and admin IT support were

separate. It was hard for the school to make the

most of the technology it had, let alone keep up

with new technology. The school was paying over

the odds for its broadband, which was also very

slow. Despite the school’s best efforts, its IT

provision was creaking at the seams.

Looking for a solution, Siobhan Leonard, head

teacher, turned to trusted IT provider of over five

years, Next Generation IT, for help. Next Generation

IT is a forward-thinking IT support and hardware

supply company, created specifically to meet

the diverse IT requirements encountered within

educational settings.

With over 30 years’ experience working with

schools, Steven Lightfoot and the team first

reviewed the existing IT support and provision.

Remote assistance for any IT issues was

immediately available via one point of contact. A

dedicated onsite technician visits the school on a

regular basis and there are regular meetings

between the SLT and Next Generation to make sure

the IT provision is the best it can be, and that staff

have the right IT training.

The two servers were moved onto one and Next

Generation is responsible for both the curriculum

and admin IT Support with everything fully backed

up on the cloud / via Next Generation’s

industry-exclusive learning continuity option

Next Generation advise the school on all the latest

technologies in and out of the classroom with

advice on how best used within the classroom and

school setting. Safeguarding and security are of key

importance and the latest onsite firewall aswell as

keyword monitoring safeguarding software to

ensure safe student internet access. iPads are

available for the whole of reception/for all classes

up to Year 4 and Interactive flat panels can be found

in each classroom.

As a Google authorised partner, Next Generation

supplied Chromebooks for every child in years 5 and

6 and helped the school secure a three-year lease

deal for the devices to ensure best use of budget.

The Chromebooks form part of a comprehensive

Google digital education ecosystem within the

school, along with Google Classroom, also

supported by Next Generation.

More recently Rothwell St Mary’s became one of

the first schools to switch to fibre broadband and

Next Generation has become their broadband

provider, resulting in a 25% saving on their

broadband bills.

Results

Rothwell St Mary’s now has IT support is fit for

purpose and helps an outstanding school in its

mission. The school benefits from a trusted and

reliable support partner who is part of the team

This has resulted in increased learning through

technology across all year groups – from iPads in

reception to Google Chromebooks in years 5 and 6.

IT solutions are sourced to make best use of the

school’s budget and switching the school

broadband to Next Generation has resulted in cost

savings of 25%.

Siobhan Leonard, headteacher at Rothwell St

Mary’s Catholic Primary School

“With Next Generation, I’ve now got someone I can

rely on when it comes to IT and there are no empty

promises - that gives me huge peace of mind. Steven

and his team take the time to find the right IT solution

for us and review our needs on a regular basis. They

explain everything in a way we can understand,

provide us with training where required and feel like

part of our team.

“All parts of our IT provision now work together and

we have regular in-person or remote support to make

sure everything is running smoothly and address any

issues. Our IT is now streamlined and working with

Next Generation is incredibly easy. I couldn’t ask for

anything more.”

Steven Lightfoot, director of Next Generation IT

“We love working with Siobhan Leonard and the team

at Rothwell St Mary’s. They are always open to new

ideas and it’s fantastic to be able to equip them with

the right solutions to get the most out of their IT

provision. It’s great to see the difference we have

made to the whole school, from the classrooms to the

school office.”

Email: info@nextgen-broadband.co.uk