Microsoft 365 User Adoption for Schools, MATs and Districts

In this episode of the Cloud Design Box Podcast, COO Darren Hemming is joined once again by Glaucia Rosas and James Wilkinson from The EduTec Alliance to share exclusive insights from their year-long global study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.With the rapid rise of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in late 2023, The EduTec Alliance set out to move beyond the hype and uncover the real impact of AI in schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and districts worldwide.The study tested over 250 AI tools across a diverse range of teaching and learning use cases, providing rare, data-driven insights into:The top AI use cases in schoolsPractical approaches to AI adoption in educationChallenges and risks including data privacy, AI literacy, and cognitive offloadingThe rapid evolution of AI technologies and their effect on digital strategies“Virtually all the commercially available tools are front ends of the big Large Language Models (LLMs),” explains Glaucia. “If anything changes on the back end, they have no capacity to do anything but accept that change.”At Cloud Design Box, we help schools and MATs bring structure to the fast-moving world of edtech. From secure SharePoint intranet hubs to compliant Microsoft Teams environments, we work with education leaders to ensure technology is safe, scalable, and aligned with strategic goals.We are Microsoft 365 for education specialists, trusted by over 450 schools and Multi-Academy Trusts to: 📈 Increase collaboration and engagement ⏰ Save significant teacher time and effort 📚 Ensure high-quality, consistent learning resources🎧 Listen now to learn how AI is reshaping the education landscape and how you can prepare your school or trust.Find out how we can support your school or MAT: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contactFollow Cloud Design Box:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/clouddesignboxX (Twitter): x.com/clouddesignboxFacebook: facebook.com/clouddesignboxInstagram: instagram.com/clouddesignboxSupport the show

Would your school or trust survive a cyberattack tomorrow? With hackers increasingly targeting the education sector, digital safeguarding is now just as critical as physical safety. Without a robust strategy, student data, staff security, and daily operations could be at serious risk.In this episode of the Cloud Design Box Podcast, COO Darren Hemming speaks with Philippa Wraithmell, Founder of EdRuption and author of The Digital Ecosystem, about the growing importance of digital safeguarding in schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs).Philippa shares insights from her work helping schools worldwide develop strong digital foundations, governance policies, and security safeguards. Her company, EdRuption, is dedicated to bridging the digital divide by empowering schools with the tools, resources, and strategies they need to create digitally literate and inclusive environments.Key discussion points:Why digital safeguarding is essential in 2025 and beyondThe cyber threats facing schools, from phishing to ransomwareBridging the gap between IT teams and safeguarding leadsPractical steps to protect sensitive student and staff dataHow safeguarding policies must evolve to address online risks“Schools hold vast amounts of sensitive information — dates of birth, locations, parental details — making them prime targets for cyberattacks,” Philippa explains. “That’s why safeguarding has to include digital.”At Cloud Design Box, we help schools and MATs create safe, compliant digital environments using Microsoft 365, SharePoint intranets and Teams for Education. Trusted by over 750 education organisations, we work with leadership teams to: 📈 Increase collaboration while protecting sensitive data 🛡 Ensure compliance with safeguarding and GDPR requirements ⚙ Build scalable, secure IT systems aligned to school strategy🎧 Listen now to learn how to strengthen your digital safeguarding strategy and protect your school community.Find out how we can help your school or MAT: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contactFollow Cloud Design Box:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/clouddesignboxX (Twitter): x.com/clouddesignboxFacebook: facebook.com/clouddesignboxInstagram: instagram.com/clouddesignboxSupport the show

In a recent episode of the Cloud Design Box podcast, Martin Byford-Rew, Head of Digital Systems at King Edward VI Foundation, discusses the importance of multi-factor authentication (MFA) in schools and the strategies that institutions can use for successful implementation.MFA offers significant advantages in educational settings.By introducing an additional security layer, MFA safeguards against unauthorised access, even if a password has been breached.The rise of cyber threats in education is alarming. And with schools now managing more sensitive digital information than ever before, cyberattacks pose risks to student addresses, financial details, staff information and other personal data tied to HR, Finance and other departments.Schools must elevate their cybersecurity strategies beyond weak passwords and outdated practices.Meet Martin Byford-RewMartin has extensive experience in education technology, previously working as a Microsoft 365 trainer and consultant. He has collaborated with Cloud Design Box on several SharePoint intranet projects, helping schools and multi academy trusts (MATs) build secure and efficient digital systems.Now, as Head of Digital Systems at King Edward VI Foundation, Martin is leading the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures in schools.What is Mutli Factor Authentication (MFA) for schools?MFA serves as a digital barrier against harmful cyberattacks. Users must log into a system with two or more verification factors, such as emails or accounts.Many of these additional verification factors, such as receiving a taxt code on your phone after entering your password or using Face ID to unlock your phone, are likely familiar to you. You might have also encountered similar verification requests during payments through your banking app. This familiarity can help ease the transition to MFA.Make Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) work for schoolsWhile the prospect of rolling out MFA across a school or MAT may seem daunting, Martin shares practical strategies to make the transition smoother.His insights show that the process is manageable and beneficial for the school’s security:Prioritise staff accounts firstMFA should be rolled out across staff accounts first, then explore ways to extend MFA to students where possible.“It’s not optional for staff, because there’s such sensitive data that teaching staff have access to. You’ve got to be so careful, because obviously, if any of that stuff leaks out, it’s really, really bad,” explains Martin.Other tools worth a mentionAuthenticator apps – Use trusted authenticator apps, such as Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator for a secure and easy-to-use option.Hardware security keys – Ideal for staff who need a highly secure, phishing-resistant method.SMS or email codes – These are common but less secure than other MFA options.Schools can’t afford to ignore MFA – so what’s next?As cyber threats advance, schools must adapt.Contact our team of Microsoft 365 experts today to talk about making Microsoft 365 more secure.  Watch the full podcast for expert insights on implementing MFA in schools. Support the show

Looking to streamline HR processes, improve security, and centralise resources in your school or Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)? In this episode of the Cloud Design Box Podcast, Josh Gibbs, Educational Technology Lead at Spencer Academies Trust, shares how his team transformed HR management with a custom-built SharePoint HR Hub.Josh is no stranger to SharePoint in Education, having previously worked with Cloud Design Box to lead digital transformation projects across multiple schools and trusts. Now at Spencer Academies Trust, Josh is helping to address a pressing need — simplifying HR operations across a rapidly growing MAT while improving collaboration, compliance, and data security.Key topics in this episode:Why a SharePoint HR Hub is the perfect solution for centralising HR resourcesHow to manage permissions effectively without compromising securityOvercoming the challenges of migrating from network drives to the cloudLeveraging SharePoint’s document management, version control, and backup featuresThe importance of staff training to ensure smooth adoptionThe Spencer Academies Trust HR Hub replaces scattered files and outdated network drives with a secure, cloud-based platform. Built in partnership with Cloud Design Box, the hub provides: 📂 A single, structured repository for all HR documents 🛡 Robust security features to protect sensitive data such as contracts and payroll ⚙ Permission groups based on staff roles for consistent and manageable access control 📈 Comprehensive training resources to boost user adoption and minimise disruptionAt Cloud Design Box, we specialise in building SharePoint intranets for education that save time, improve collaboration, and strengthen compliance. Trusted by over 750 schools and MATs, our solutions are tailored to the unique needs of education organisations.🎧 Listen now to see how Spencer Academies Trust built their HR Hub — and how your school or MAT could do the same.Find out how we can support your digital transformation: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contactFollow Cloud Design Box:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/clouddesignboxX (Twitter): x.com/clouddesignboxFacebook: facebook.com/clouddesignboxInstagram: instagram.com/clouddesignboxSupport the show

n a recent episode of the Cloud Design Box podcast, Max Fritz from Microsoft sat down with Darren Hemming to talk about Microsoft Classwork – an innovative addition to Microsoft Teams for Education, designed to streamline lesson organisation, improve student engagement and reduce teacher workload.What is Microsoft Classwork?Microsoft Classwork is a powerful tool within Teams for Education, enabling teachers to structure learning materials into organised modules.With seamless integration into Microsoft Class Notebook and Teams Assignments, Classwork ensures that your learning resources are easy to manage, access and reuse across multiple classes.Darren and Max highlight how Classwork provides a streamlined digital learning environment, making it easier for teachers to focus on instruction rather than administration.“Teachers were using Assignments to share non-graded materials, causing confusion for students and parents. Classwork provides a dedicated space for organising learning resources, making everything clearer,” explains Max.Key features of Classwork that enhance your teachingFor teachers, Classwork offers a number of useful tools and features:Drag-and-drop functionalityYou can quickly organise lesson resources with an intuitive interface.Publishing controlsYou can decide when students can access content, allowing for better lesson pacing.“Classwork allows you to organise materials that are meant to be consumed and read by students into a logical manner,” Max explains.Pinned modulesClasswork highlights key learning materials to ensure students focus on the most important content.As Max points out:“With Classwork, students can navigate resources without confusion, making it easier for them to stay on track with learning.”Reusable modulesTeachers can duplicate and modify past lesson structures for future use, saving time and effort.Integration with Teams and Class NotebookKeep all your resources in one place, streamlining the teaching and learning experience.“We didn’t want Classwork to be just another silo. That’s why it integrates deeply with Class Notebook, Teams Assignments, and more,” Max continues.Solving school and MAT challengesFor school leaders, Classwork offers a structured approach to improving student outcomes, while ensuring compliance with school policies and Ofsted standards:Better resource managementClasswork simplifies how materials are structured, shared, and accessed, reducing administrative overhead and allowing educators to focus more on teaching rather than document management.Scalability across years, classes and departmentsSchools can reuse and adapt learning materials across different terms, ensuring consistency in curriculum delivery while reducing the need for recreating content from scratch.Data-driven insights into student engagementIntegrated analytics provide teachers and administrators with valuable insights into student participation, allowing for data-informed decisions that enhance learning outcomes and identify areas for improvement.Get the most out of your investment in Microsoft 365At Cloud Design Box, we help schools and multi academy trusts (MATs) in the UK get the most out of Microsoft 365, Teams and SharePoint.By creating a centralised SharePoint intranet, we improve whole-school and trust collaboration, streamline workflows and enhance the learning experience for both students and teachers.Interested in transforming your school’s digital learning environment?Contact Cloud Design Box today to find out how we canSupport the show

Microsoft’s Samantha Fisher sits down with Darren Hemming to explore the exciting new updates in Speaker Coach and the introduction of Speaker Progress.Read the full write-up on our website: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/podcast-speaker-coach-and-progress-microsoft-----------------------------------We are Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for education experts supporting over 450 schools and multi academy trusts to:📈 Increase collaboration and engagement ⏰ Save huge amounts of teacher time and effort 📚 Ensure consistently high-quality learning resources Find out how we can support your school or MAT: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contact -----------------------------------Connect with us on social ⚡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddesignbox/X: https://x.com/clouddesignboxFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/clouddesignboxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clouddesignboxSupport the show

Schools waste money, time and opportunities on systems and platforms that don’t speak to each other. But it doesn’t have to be this way, as EdRuption’s Philippa Wraithmell highlights in this podcast. Darren Hemming, COO at Cloud Design Box, talks16 with Philippa about the importance of simplicity and interoperability when building your school’s digital ecosystem and strategy. "If schools don't prioritise building a cohesive digital ecosystem now, we're not just dealing with fragmented tools; we're risking our ability to support every student's unique learning journey and the long-term sustainability of our schools.” - Philippa Wraithmell, EdRuption About Philippa Wraithmell and EdRuption Philippa has a rich background in supporting schools to build successful digital strategies, which led her to pen her book The Digital Ecosystem, where she explores the importance of having strong foundations, policies, governance and safeguards in educational systems. Philippa founded EdRuption with the vision to bridge the digital divide in schools globally. The company empowers schools with resources, expertise and innovation to create a digitally literate and inclusive educational environment.Read the writeup here: https://clouddesignbox.co.uk/podcast-edruption-school-digital-ecosytem/-----------------------------------We are Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for education experts supporting over 450 schools and multi academy trusts to:📈 Increase collaboration and engagement ⏰ Save huge amounts of teacher time and effort 📚 Ensure consistently high-quality learning resources Find out how we can support your school or MAT: www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contact -----------------------------------Connect with us on social ⚡️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clouddesignbox/X: https://x.com/clouddesignboxFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/clouddesignboxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clouddesignboxSupport the show

In this conversation, Anoo Padte, the product leader for Reading Coach at Microsoft, shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing reading literacy. Topics include the importance of personalized learning experiences and the innovative features of the Reading Coach tool designed for diverse learners. Anoo discusses interactive storytelling, gamification strategies, and the potential of integrating relatable material to enhance engagement. The goal is to create a fun, accessible reading environment that bridges educational gaps and combats learning loss post-pandemic.

In this episode of the Cloud Design Box podcast, join Darren Hemming as he delves into an engaging conversation with Emma Gray, the visionary Product Manager behind Microsoft's innovative tool, Search Coach. With a background enriched by journalism and a deep technical expertise in engineering and physics, Emma brings a unique perspective to the table, discussing the critical role of information literacy in education and beyond.Discover how Search Coach, developed in collaboration with leading educational experts, aims to equip both educators and students with the skills necessary to navigate the increasingly complex information landscape. From tackling the challenges of echo chambers and social media algorithms to fostering critical thinking and discernment, this podcast covers the importance of mental resilience and the concept of AI literacy in the digital age.Learn about the practical applications of Search Coach in the classroom, how it integrates seamlessly into Microsoft Class Teams, and the benefits it offers in enhancing learning outcomes without disrupting class priorities. Emma also shares insights on the upcoming releases, including Search Progress and curriculum planning lessons designed to empower students and teachers alike.Whether you're an educator seeking to incorporate information literacy into your curriculum, a parent interested in the educational tools available for your child, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and education, this podcast offers valuable insights into the future of learning in the digital age.Tune in to explore how Microsoft's Search Coach is shaping the way we understand, use, and teach information literacy, preparing students for a future where critical thinking and information discernment are key. Don't miss this captivating discussion on the role of technology in education and the wider benefits of empowering the next generation with the tools they need to succeed.Check out our website for the services and products we offer for Microsoft 365, Teams and SharePoint at https://www.clouddesignbox.co.ukContact us now for more information via the website https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contactSupport the show

This podcast discusses the use of Microsoft Learning Accelerators in education, emphasizing their role in enhancing teaching and learning. It explores the use of digital tools like OneNote and immersive reader, and addresses concerns about AI replacing humans in education. The podcast also discusses methods of tutoring and mentoring, teaching children to validate information, and prioritizing collaboration and personal growth in education.