Migrating to the cloud in Education
Guest: Adrian Edgar,
Intro / Episode overview
Cloud migration sounds simple on paper. In real schools, it rarely is. Budgets are tight, staff are busy, and legacy systems don’t politely step aside.
In this episode of EdTechStuff, I sit down with Adrian Edgar, CEO of Aspira Cloud, to talk through what cloud migration actually looks like in education. Not theory. Not sales slides. Just the practical realities schools and trusts face when they try to make the move.
What you’ll get from this episode
A realistic view of what cloud migration involves in schools
Why people matter just as much as platforms
Where schools often underestimate the work involved
How to avoid common mistakes that slow things down
Practical advice you can apply without blowing your budget
Key discussion points
Why cloud migration is a people challenge, not just a technical one
The value of a phased approach rather than a “big bang” move
What the real benefits look like beyond short-term cost savings
How to manage staff concerns and resistance
Internet dependency, resilience, and planning for failure
Integrating cloud platforms with existing MIS systems
The role of training and internal champions
Why timing matters more than most schools realise
Practical takeaways
If you only do one thing after listening:
Plan your migration around people, not holidays or contracts. Staff understanding and confidence matter more than speed.
Other actions worth considering:
Break the migration into clear, manageable phases
Set up a small project team with real ownership
Identify and support change champions in each area
Be honest with staff about what’s changing and why
Check integrations early, especially MIS and identity
Avoid summer-only migrations that leave staff unprepared
Who this episode is for
Network Managers in schools
IT Technicians planning infrastructure changes
Heads of IT and IT Directors in MATs
School leaders involved in digital strategy
Anyone considering or already partway through a cloud migration
About the guest
Adrian Edgar is the CEO of Aspira Cloud. He has a long background in education IT and works closely with schools and trusts across the UK to plan and deliver cloud migrations that are realistic, sustainable, and focused on long-term value rather than quick wins.
Related episodes
Episode 9: Cyber security in MATs and building a SOC approach on a budget
Episode 8: Microsoft A3 vs A5 and what actually improves security
Episode 4: Copilot readiness, governance, and reducing your blast radius
Have a question or want to suggest a topic?
If this episode connects with something you’re dealing with right now, get in touch.
Future episodes of EdTechStuff are shaped by real challenges from real schools, not marketing agendas.