Moray schools to see improvements in ICT Infrastructure and Connectivity
Moray Council has reported ongoing work to upgrade ICT infrastructure across schools to enhance digital learning and connectivity. While progress has been made, some challenges remain, and further improvements are needed to fully address network and device management issues.
To improve the efficiency and performance of school networks, the council has introduced a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system that optimises bandwidth usage and enhances device management.
Following a successful pilot at Buckie High School, Lossiemouth High School, and Millbank Primary School, the rollout has been extended to other schools. Currently, 63% of council-issued iPads have internet access.
In January 2025, an agreement was reached with Capita Business Services Limited to expand overall internet capacity across schools. While some improvements have been noted, challenges remain, particularly at the start of the school day.
The council is also working on a major upgrade to improve school connectivity through the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) framework. Since September 2024, new circuits have been installed in all secondary schools, with the transition to BT’s network expected by April 2025. Work on primary schools is ongoing, with a fibre availability analysis currently underway.
In December 2024, the council raised concerns with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education about the limited bandwidth available for schools. A response in January confirmed that additional bandwidth had been provided for the central internet link. However, this does not directly increase capacity for individual school links, meaning local connectivity issues may persist until further solutions are implemented.
Further updates on the impact of these upgrades will be provided later in the year.
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, commented: “Enhancing digital connectivity in our schools is a key priority, supporting our wider commitment to improving educational infrastructure. The rollout of the MDM system and the transition to the new SWAN framework aim to improve network performance, ensuring better connectivity for pupils and staff.
“While we recognise there are still challenges to overcome, the additional bandwidth and ongoing upgrades should help improve connectivity. We remain committed to ensuring these infrastructure improvements support learning environments across Moray.”