Case Studies

Empowering Remote Learning: King’s School, Canterbury’s Triumph Over Adversity with Microsoft Teams

The King’s School, Canterbury partnered with Cloud Design Box in early 2020 to transition to Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, not only to respond to the immediate challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic but also as part of a forward-thinking digital strategy.

The partnership began just as the UK faced its first lockdown, requiring rapid implementation of digital tools to ensure continuity in teaching and learning. By combining innovative technology with a strong sense of community, King’s successfully navigated this critical period and laid the groundwork for long-term educational advancements.

About the Organisation

The King’s School, Canterbury, founded in AD 597, is Britain’s oldest public school and a global icon of educational heritage. This independent, co-educational day and boarding school welcomes pupils aged 3-18 across its Senior and Junior Schools, as well as King’s School Shenzhen International, which opened recently to expand its tradition of excellence.

King’s is renowned for its “King’s spirit,” which encourages students to pursue individual passions in academics, sports, music, and the arts. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, King’s remained committed to fostering this spirit through its innovative use of digital tools and a collaborative approach.

"By choosing Cloud Design Box, we were able to make a smooth transition to the Microsoft 365 platform."

-Cathy Hills, Learning Technologist

Challenges

Before transitioning to Office 365, King’s relied on an off-the-shelf VLE, which increasingly failed to meet the school’s evolving needs. After years of research, the decision was made to adopt Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.

Cathy Hills, Learning Technologist at The King’s School, explained, “The question was whether to buy an off-the-shelf solution or partner with a company like Cloud Design Box to facilitate the transition.”

Just months into the partnership, the Covid-19 pandemic introduced an unexpected challenge. By 20^th March 2020, schools across England were required to close their physical spaces and deliver education digitally. Within days, normal operations at King’s were upended, and the school had to rapidly pivot to an entirely remote learning model.

Solution

Cloud Design Box provided the expertise needed to make the transition seamless, even under the pressure of the pandemic. The rollout of Microsoft Teams and SharePoint enabled King’s to:

Deliver online learning materials quickly and efficiently.
Keep staff and students connected, preserving the school’s strong sense of community.
Equip academic staff with Surface Pro devices, further enhancing their ability to use the Office 365 suite effectively.

Cathy Hills noted, “By choosing Cloud Design Box, we were able to make a smooth transition to the platform.”

The partnership emphasised clear communication and support, including onboarding meetings, online calls, planning sessions, and technical assistance.

The Future

King’s continues to build on the foundation established during the pandemic. Future priorities include:

Refining workflows for Team and Class Notebook setups.
Ensuring accuracy in user and timetable data via iSAMS and Active Directory integration.
Expanding staff capabilities with Office 365’s integrated tools, including Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.

Robin, a key stakeholder, expressed enthusiasm for the long-term benefits: “For us, Office 365 and its suite of integrated tools was irresistible. Everything is in one place, stored in the cloud, and backed up by us. The addition of Surface Pro devices for staff has taken our use of these tools to the next level.”

Louise, another member of the team, reflected on the partnership: “We’re so grateful to the team at Cloud Design Box for their unwavering commitment, technical support, and help throughout this process.”

King’s School, Canterbury has demonstrated how embracing technology can empower education, even in the face of unprecedented challenges. By partnering with Cloud Design Box, the school has not only weathered the immediate crisis but also set a course for long-term innovation and success.

With a focus on refining processes, leveraging integrated tools, and enhancing collaboration, King’s remains committed to providing an enriched learning environment that prepares students for the future.

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