Digital Strategy
Over the past year, TransforMATive colleagues have had the privilege of supporting a growing number of trusts on their digital transformation journeys. Each one starts in a slightly different place; with its own set of challenges, strengths and ambitions. But at the heart of every conversation is a shared goal: to make technology work meaningfully for staff and students.
For The Howard Academy Trust, this journey has involved a deep dive into strategic discovery, focused on aligning digital investment with long-term improvement. As part of that work, Lisa recently supported senior leaders from the trust to attend a Google Discovery Day at Google HQ in London and it proved to be a genuinely transformative experience.
Seeing the Art of the Possible
The event, hosted by Google and Getech, was designed for education leaders new to the Google ecosystem. It was an opportunity to step out of the everyday and explore what’s possible when strategy, collaboration and innovation come together with the right tools in place.
Interactive sessions gave our clients hands-on experience with Gemini, Google Workspace and ChromeOS. More importantly, the day created space for reflection on how AI and automation might reduce teacher workload, how shared platforms can support more agile working, and how infrastructure choices can either limit or unlock progress.
For leaders navigating difficult terrain, rising pressures, stretched budgets, workforce fatigue, it was an energising reminder of what digital can make possible when approached thoughtfully.
From Curiosity to Clarity
One of the most valuable aspects of the day was the shift in mindset it encouraged. Digital strategy is not just about systems or savings. It’s about creating the conditions for people to thrive.
The Howard Academy Trust came away with greater clarity around:
- The role of cloud collaboration in improving operational flexibility
- How AI-powered tools can support, not replace, professional judgement
- The importance of aligning digital decisions with organisational values and priorities
This event didn’t just add to their digital to-do list. It helped refine their digital why.
Designing for Impact
At TransforMATive, we often talk about the difference between digital activity and digital impact. Strategy is the bridge between the two. That’s why experiences like the Discovery Day matter. They offer leaders the chance to step back, explore possibilities, and return with fresh insight to apply within their own context.
For The Howard Academy Trust, this visit formed one part of a broader discovery and planning process. But it played a key role in surfacing questions, validating priorities, and building confidence around next steps.
It’s a model we’ll continue to use with other trusts, not as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as a way to inspire ambition and bring digital thinking to life.
Final Reflections
In a sector facing constant challenge, it’s easy to become reactive. To focus only on compliance, firefighting, or the next procurement cycle. But real transformation starts when we create time to explore, imagine and question.
Attending a Discovery Day at Google HQ reminded us that digital change is not just about what we use it’s about why and how we use it. It reaffirmed that technology should serve people, not the other way around. And it highlighted the power of stepping outside our daily environments to see the bigger picture.
As we continue supporting trusts on their digital journeys, we’ll keep creating these moments of inspiration. Because sometimes, the best way to move forward is to simply look up and reimagine what’s possible.
