Behind the ‘Screens’ at Bancroft’s
It’s always ironic when you invite the IT team for an interview and end up needing their help to fix a tech problem before you even get started.
The minute they stepped into our office for the interview, technology decided to stage a little rebellion of its own. Our Director of Marketing found herself suddenly mouseless—her Bluetooth mouse flatly refusing to cooperate.
Adam and Anthony took it in their stride, “typical timing,” quickly resolving the issue.
We felt it was the ideal introduction to a team whose work underpins just about everything we do at Bancroft’s, even if it often happens behind the scenes.
Adam, who joined Bancroft’s back in 2013 as a Physics Technician, made the leap to the IT team in 2020 and now works as a First Line IT Support Coordinator. Anthony, who joined in 2021, is the Senior IT Support Analyst. They work with the rest of the IT team to ensure the tech wheels of the school turn smoothly.
The IT department is one of the busiest in the school. From pupils and teachers to support staff, there’s always a queue of people needing their expertise. September, in particular, is their crunch time. This is when they prepare iPads for the Thirds as they begin their Senior School journey.
The iPads themselves are a vital part of learning at Bancroft’s. They’re kitted out with essential tools like Office apps and Teams, which helps pupils manage timetables, message teachers, and complete assignments.
We asked them about the mammoth task of iPad setup. Anthony explained: “We get about 140 iPads delivered. Each one has to be unpacked, turned on, checked, and fitted with a case. Then, they’re connected to the school’s Wi-Fi and configured with the right settings. It’s quite the operation!”
Adam added: “Once the pupils arrive, we run a session in the Great Hall during their first week. One of the biggest challenges is getting everyone to change and remember their passwords!”
From there, it’s all about ensuring the iPads work seamlessly, with apps like Duolingo for Modern Foreign Languages and GarageBand for Music playing a big role in lessons. Both Adam and Anthony also highlighted the importance of safeguarding, with the IT team using a monitoring system to ensure pupils stay safe online.
When we asked what they love most about their roles, Anthony was quick to mention the satisfaction of solving problems for staff and pupils: “The joy of IT is that you meet absolutely everyone in the school.” Adam agreed, adding: “Every day is different. You never know what challenge will pop up next.”
And, of course, no interview with IT would be complete without hearing about their most memorable moments. Anthony recounted a classic: “I once got called into a class because the camera wasn’t working. It turned out the lens cap was still on!”
“We’ve got a great team. We are always working together.”
Outside the office, the IT team is just as involved in the Bancroft’s community. They field a full team for staff football matches each week, and their team outings are a particular highlight.
We also couldn’t end the conversation without congratulating both Adam and Anthony on their recent promotions in September.
Thank you, Adam and Anthony, for giving us a glimpse ‘behind the screens’.
