• Arriving at a decision on the implementation of ICT in the curriculum can be a challenging and stressful experience. It will involve choosing appropriate infrastructure, hardware and software together with arranging the necessary training.
  
  
• Often the terms used and their associated technicalities are unfamiliar. Schools may well feel they have to choose between rival 'off-the-shelf' solutions rather than being able to acquire a solution that matches their requirements.
  
  
• A growing number of schools have discovered the advantages of working with Lexicon Lifeline in this area. We can "hold your hand" through the process, identify the needs of the school and arrive at a solution that meets your needs and provides the best value for money.

• We will visit the school to look at its layout; to identify the type, deployment and use of existing computers; to discuss the current level of staff experience and the suitability of the current software for delivering the National Curriculum.
  
  
• In conjunction with your ICT team, (Headteacher, coordinator, ICT governor etc.), we will identify the needs of the school, compare these with the current ICT development plan (or help in drawing one up), and discuss the relative merits of the various options available to you.

• We will supply detailed costings for the work.
  
  
• Lexicon Lifeline is not a hardware supplier nor cabling company so where these items are required, we will identify a number of companies that we have found to be reliable and 'school-friendly'. We can put you in touch with one or more of these companies or, if you prefer, we can make all the arrangements so that they can supply a quotation.
  
  
• A suitably qualified and experienced person or company should always carry out cabling and the installer should always provide a warranty of at least 15 years. If you require extra power points, then most cabling companies can install these at the same time as the network cabling. In most cases we would suggest that only 10/100 switchable hubs are used

• Depending upon the size and type of network that you choose, (See our Rough Guide to Networking), Lexicon Lifeline may carry out the entire installation or we may involve a local company to provide additional expertise. Either way, you can be sure that you get the installation that is right for your school.
  
  
• We will customise the computers on your network so that they fulfil the identified ICT objectives. This will include installing the software identified in the plan and setting it up to be easy for the pupils to use and the staff to manage.

• We will use our knowledge of educational software to make suggestions concerning the software that should be on your computers. We will ensure that the software provided is appropriate for the age range of the pupils who will be using it and that it enables the National Curriculum to be covered. We also provide an additional software list from which items can be selected to both support literacy, numeracy and subject based topic work as well as providing opportunities for modelling and simulations.
  
  
• If your school is a Lifeline subscriber, then there are discounts available on most titles giving savings from 10%  to 15% from most educational publishers.
  
  
• In addition, if you need to buy any Microsoft software then we can provide details of the Microsoft Select scheme run by Dorset County Council Procurement Services. This provides the best possible value for money. The scheme is open to all schools; those outside of Dorset LEA have to pay a small registration fee.

• When large sums of money are invested in new hardware and software, it is important to be shown how to make the most effective use of this expensive resource. The training will cover the management of your system and how it can best be used as an effective learning tool within the curriculum.
  
  
• We would normally suggest that at least two people are present for management training.
  
  
• Demonstrating ways of using the software effectively to support the curriculum can be covered during a training day or twilight sessions. The most cost-effective way for you to cover this is to use Lifeline time, (either by joining or by adding additional days if you are already a member.)

• Even the best plan cannot cover all eventualities. Technological change, extra financing or additional pupils may all necessitate change. A Lifeline subscription provides the comfort of telephone help and visits to rectify any problems, as well as further advise and guidance. This is a cost effective way of obtaining support and can be included in the plan.

Martin Longley and Dave Thomas have teaching backgrounds as well as many years of offering ICT advice, support and training as part of the Dorset IT Team.

• Our solutions are led by the curriculum.
  

• Our service is quality assured through NAACE.
  

• We have a local knowledge of schools and the demands placed upon them by the National Curriculum.
  

• We have a wealth of technical experience
  

• We will ensure that your ICT development builds upon 'what you have' and takes you 'where you want to go', in the most appropriate and cost effective way for you.
  

• We are genuinely interested in what is best for you!
  

• We do not represent any particular hardware or software company.
  

Lexicon Lifeline have carried out either a complete installation or an extension to an existing network in the following schools in recent years:

Bournemouth

Please contact us for further information or a no-obligation visit
to discuss your ICT requirements.