IT

About Us

The IT Department is responsible for the day to day running of the school's Information systems. This includes the following areas:

  • Desktops, Laptops & Tablets for staff & student use
  • Printers & Photocopiers
  • The Schools Wifi Network
  • the Schools Local Area Network & switching equipment
  • The schools broadband connection
  • The School Website
  • Telephony Systems
  • Audio & Video Systems
  • CCTV & Access Control Systems
  • Asset Management & Goods In
  • the Schools MIS (Management Information System)
  • Software Licensing
  • In-house IT & Technical training
  • Servers and Backup systems
  • IT Development
  • Equipment disposal (WEEE)
  • Sound & Lighting Systems

And are run and managed by:

Mr S Moores - Network Manager

Mrs C Walker - ISIMS Data Manager

Mrs A Erswell - IT Technician

Mr G Aldridge- IT Technician

Mr L Jillians - IT/Media Technician

Infrastructure

What is a backbone?

In the case of our school, these are the core switches which route all the network traffic between the school servers the internet and the student machines. In Maidstone Grammar School we use only high-quality HP Procurve switches which are backed with a lifetime guarantee

School Internet

The school is on what is collectively known as the KPSN (Kent Public Services Network). This provides the school with a dedicated high-speed internet connectivity, which was recently upgraded to 100Mb/s, and also centralised internet filtering.

All of our classrooms are fitted with Visualisers systems. These include DVD/VHS combinations, amplifier and speakers, PC or laptop, projectors and screens and Samsung Digital presenters.

Digital Presenters Visualiser

These are the modern equivalent of old Overhead projectors. They can be used for displaying documents on screen without the need for media be printed on acetate. As well as documents, objects and experiments and can be demonstrated to the class. If a teacher has an object that they would like to show to multiple classes these can freeze-framed and stored to show as many classes as they wish. They can even be used to store video. Particularly useful for subjects like science where an experimentor dissection can be demonstrated to a class and be recorded at the same time so that the students have the ability to play this back.

Use of IT in the classroom 

The use of IT is not limited to just ICT lessons. Teachers use either a PDA or a Tablet PC to register their classes. There is a booking system for IT rooms managed by the IT Support Technicians for any subject teacher to book their lessons in to.