Cloud Transformation Unifies 8 Schools for Multi-Academy Trust
8 separate IT environments unified into a single cloud-based platform. We delivered this outcome for South London Multi-Academy Trust (1,800 users across 8 schools) by combining Microsoft 365, Azure, Intune into a single strategic engagement.
What South London Multi-Academy Trust was facing
A south London multi-academy trust comprising eight primary and secondary schools was operating eight completely separate IT environments — each with its own servers, Microsoft 365 tenant, security policies, and support arrangements. The fragmented infrastructure meant inconsistent safeguarding controls, no central visibility of student data, patching that varied wildly between schools, and support costs that were spiralling as each school maintained its own server hardware. The trust needed a strategic partner to design a unified cloud architecture, centralise identity and device management, implement consistent safeguarding across all schools, and reduce infrastructure costs — all without disrupting teaching during term time.
How we solved it
We designed a comprehensive cloud transformation strategy centred on a single Microsoft 365 tenant with Microsoft Entra ID as the unified identity platform. We migrated all eight schools' email, files, and collaboration tools to the central tenant, implemented Microsoft Intune for cloud-based device management across all 1,800 devices, and configured consistent safeguarding policies including web filtering, monitoring, and reporting aligned to KCSIE requirements. We deployed Microsoft Teams for Education across all schools with tailored class team templates, and designed a SharePoint-based common data environment for shared curriculum resources. The migration was executed in phased waves during half-term and holiday periods, ensuring zero disruption to teaching. Post-migration, we implemented Azure-based backup and disaster recovery, centralised IT support through a single helpdesk, and provided training for all staff across the eight schools.
What we delivered
Tools and skills applied
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Related services & insights
The education expertise and technical capabilities behind this engagement.
Services
IT & Cloud Infrastructure Migrations
End-to-end IT and cloud infrastructure migration services — from assessment and planning to zero-downtime execution and post-migration optimisation.
Device Management (SCCM & Intune)
Centralised device management with SCCM and Microsoft Intune for software deployment, patching, and security compliance.
Cloud Services & Support
Cloud services and support — architecture design, migration, and ongoing management of Azure, AWS, and hybrid cloud infrastructure.
Tech Insights
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Ransomware Protection: A Complete Defence Strategy for UK Businesses
Ransomware attacks cost UK businesses £1.2 billion in 2025. Here's the seven-layer defence strategy we deploy for clients — from immutable backups to employee training — that stops attacks before they encrypt.
Microsoft 365 Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide for SMEs
Migrating to Microsoft 365 without downtime or data loss. The exact phased approach our engineers follow, from audit to go-live.
Sources & further reading
Independent guidance from UK regulators, standards bodies and technology vendors that underpins the advice on this page.
- Microsoft LearnAzure documentationReference documentation for the Microsoft cloud platform.(opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft LearnAzure Well-Architected FrameworkMicrosoft's guidance for building reliable, secure and cost-efficient cloud workloads.(opens in a new tab)
- National Cyber Security CentreCloud security guidancePrinciples for selecting, configuring and operating cloud services securely.(opens in a new tab)
- National Cyber Security Centre10 Steps to Cyber SecurityThe UK's baseline framework for protecting business systems, people and data.(opens in a new tab)
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