Advertise on podcast: Microsoft 365 User Adoption for Schools, MATs and Districts

Cloud Design Box looks at moving from Google Workspaces to Microsoft 365 for Education. Thinking about moving your school from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 for Education? In this episode, Cloud Design Box explores what schools should consider before making the switch, including migration planning, Teams, SharePoint, security, collaboration and the practical steps involved in moving successfully.

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/contact Follow 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/contact Follow 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-Rew Martin 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 schools While 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 first MFA 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 mention Authenticator 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 disruption At 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/contact Follow 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 teaching For teachers, Classwork offers a number of useful tools and features: Drag-and-drop functionality You can quickly organise lesson resources with an intuitive interface. Publishing controls You 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 modules Classwork 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 modules Teachers can duplicate and modify past lesson structures for future use, saving time and effort. Integration with Teams and Class Notebook Keep 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 challenges For school leaders, Classwork offers a structured approach to improving student outcomes, while ensuring compliance with school policies and Ofsted standards: Better resource management Classwork 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 departments Schools 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 engagement Integrated 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 365 At 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 can Support 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/clouddesignbox Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clouddesignbox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clouddesignbox Support 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/clouddesignbox Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clouddesignbox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clouddesignbox Support the show

In this podcast, we speak with Microsoft’s Anoo Padte – the product leader for Reading Coach – about how artificial intelligence is helping create personalised learning experiences and combat poor reading literacy. Find out more:  https://clouddesignbox.co.uk/combatting-poor-reading-literacy-with-microsoft-reading-coach/ ----------------------------------- 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:   / clouddesignbox   X: https://x.com/clouddesignbox Facebook:   / clouddesignbox   Instagram:   / clouddesignbox Support the show

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.uk Contact us now for more information via the website https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/contact Support the show

Microsoft Learning Accelerators aim to make education more accessible by providing students with vital tools to develop their learning, while teaching them essential skills in further education and later in their professional life.  Visit the Cloud Design Box website for more information. In our latest Microsoft 365 User Adoption podcast, the Cornerstone Academy Trust (TCAT) reveals how they’re embracing the new Microsoft Learning Accelerators to enhance teaching and learning.  About The Cornerstone Academy Trust TCAT is a multi academy trust comprising four primary schools in southwest England.   Its motto – “Fortune Favours the Brave”, is unequivocally reflected in its forward-thinking approach to technology in education. The MAT is a Microsoft Training Academy and runs a DfE English Hub, Behaviour Hub, a Science Learning Partnership and is also part of the West Country Computer Science Hub.   Cloud Design Box (CDB) has been working with TCAT since 2018 to develop a modern intranet in SharePoint and Teams, facilitating communication at the MAT-level and within the individual schools.  By automating the management of various Class Teams and Staff Teams across the schools based on daily MIS data, the CDB team helped TCAT establish a strong digital foundation for teaching and learning. CDB has also provided comprehensive training and consultancy to TCAT through workshops and an online training portal, ensuring that colleagues stay updated on Microsoft’s digital tools for education.  Jonathan Bishop, CEO of TCAT, joins podcast host and CDB Chief Operations Officer, Darren Hemming, to talk about the impact of the new Microsoft Learning Accelerators and how Reading and Search Coach are empowering students to become independent, avid learners.   Enhancing reading skills with Reading Coach. Reading Coach – available within Microsoft Teams and Immersive Reader – provides students with valuable opportunities to practice reading and improve their skills.   Empowering independent learners with Search Coach.   Search Coach helps students develop their research skills when searching the web. The tool can be added to any Class Team and works in a very similar way to a typical search engine.   Equipping children to thrive in the modern world.  “Both Reading Coach and Search Coach are supporting students to develop skills for the modern world. The tools help them learn how to present their ideas coherently, succinctly and speak with clarity, as well as be confident in what they’re trying to articulate,” Jonathan adds.  Support the show

In this episode we speak to teacher and housemaster Henry about using Microsoft 365 in an independent school. Blog post to follow on https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/ Support the show

Ian Stuart from Avantis Education talks about the power of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality in teaching and learning. Avantis has supported teachers with classroom technology for almost two decades and now boasts a diverse range of education products, including LearnPad, ClassCharge, ClassConnect and ClassVR. In this podcast episode, Cloud Design Box’s Darren Hemming talks about ClassVR, Avantis World and creating immersive, 360° experiences for students. Embedding Virtual Reality learning experiences inside Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. Avantis World is a virtual reality theme park designed for education. Students and teachers enter the world using VR headsets or any modern browser. “It’s designed to allow teachers to take their classes to places that would usually be impossible to go to or imagine. Some places in the theme park are galleries you can walk around, and others are fully immersive experiences,” Ian explains. “For example, we have a digestive system experience where you can turn into a piece of pizza and travel right through the human body. Other examples include renewable energy and photosynthesis.” Full blog post and video can be found here: https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk/embedding-vr-and-ar-into-microsoft-teams-and-sharepoint-with-avantis-education/ Support the show

Darren meets Ryan for Formative. Support the show

In this episode Darren Hemming speaks to Stefan from Lingfield College about the rollout and adoption of 1:1 devices.  Find out more about Cloud Design Box at https://www.clouddesignbox.co.uk The benefits of 1:1 devices in schools with Lingfield CollegeThe Director of Digital Learning at Linfield College talks about the school’s plan to roll out per-student devices to every student and the challenges and benefits that come with digital transformation.  Lingfield College is a co-educational independent school in Surrey for pupils aged two to eighteen. Stefan Hagen is the Director of Digital Learning and works with his team to help drive digital learning within the school, working with the school’s partner companies – including Cloud Design Box – to deliver quality technology to staff and students.   The school has bold plans to introduce a per-student device policy – eventually rolling out touch-screen laptops to every student within the school.   In this podcast episode, we discuss the challenges of moving to blended learning, as well as the many benefits that come with a 1:1 device policy in education.   Stefan also outlines what the school has done so far to lay the foundations for this digital learning strategy and what the plan is to accomplish their goal of per-student devices.   A vision for cloud-based learning.  Lingfield College had begun looking at ways to “get digital moving”, as Stefan puts it before the pandemic.   But, things didn’t move as quickly as they had hoped and as the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns hit in the UK, the school had to move quickly to deliver quality lessons via Microsoft Teams.   “When we returned to the classroom after lockdown, I was keen to keep the momentum that we had built up going, encouraging staff members to use Teams and OneDrive,” Stefan explains.  “However, I realised that many people were fed up with computer screens and that we had to move more slowly and carefully to get everyone on board.”   It was around that time that Lingfield College began working with Cloud Design Box to create a long-term strategy that would enable the school to migrate to the cloud, which would lay the foundations for their 1:1 device policy.   Moving to the cloud.  “As they say, when you move house, you have a clear out before you move so you don’t take all your junk with you. And, it was the same as we moved from our old servers to the cloud,” Stefan explains.  Cloud Design Box worked with Lingfield College to give staff the time and training they needed to move their resources over to the cloud.   “We set up key milestones and eventually turned the old servers to ‘view-only’ to give staff who hadn’t been able to move resources over yet access without creating a confusing dual system.”  1:1 devices for teachers and school staff.   Moving to the cloud allowed Lingfield College to roll out 1:1 devices for every staff member, allowing teachers to build up their confidence with the new technology.   “This approach made the most sense to us because teachers can get used to the technology as they’re using it for teaching so that when we are ready to roll out 1:1 devices for students, teachers can help resolve some tech issues if they do occur in the classroom.”   Infrastructure challenges that come with 1:1 devices.   As Stefan points out in the podcast, there’s more to think about when rolling out 1:1 devices than simply giving everyone a laptop or tablet.   “Getting the infrastructure right is a challenge. For example, our flooring makes it difficult for us to put charging ports into our classrooms. So we’re now looking at char Support the show