FRACTIONAL DIGITAL STRATEGIST
Fractional digital strategy for schools, trusts and education organisations.
Expert strategic leadership and ongoing partnership without the cost of a full-time appointment. Thoughtful, evidence-informed support that helps technology serve learning.
WHY THIS WORK
Strategic digital leadership for schools and trusts.
Schools and trusts face growing complexity as technology reshapes teaching, assessment and organisational practice. The pressure is to respond quickly, while protecting integrity and supporting staff and students well.
I work as a fractional digital strategist, helping leaders make sound, evidence-informed decisions about digital strategy and AI, so that technology serves learning.
Real innovation is better learning, sound judgement and coherent strategy. The tools follow.
ABOUT THE APPROACH
Grounded in school leadership experience.
I am a senior school leader, consultant and coach with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of education, leadership and digital strategy. As a former senior leader in leading UK independent schools, I have worked with leadership teams on curriculum, organisational improvement and the effective use of technology.
I have supported schools, trusts and education organisations through periods of change, building digital strategies that are sustainable, purposeful and aligned with their wider aims.
This lets me act as a trusted partner, offering challenge, clarity and continuity, without imposing one-size-fits-all solutions.
WHAT IT DOES
What a fractional digital strategist does.
Working alongside senior leaders to make sense of complexity, risk and opportunity as digital and AI tools evolve. In practice, that means helping you:
- shape a clear, values-led digital and AI strategy
- align technology with curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and culture
- address AI, ethics, academic integrity, safeguarding and workload
- move from reactive responses to sustainable, policy-driven planning
- build staff and leadership confidence through clarity rather than compliance
- support professional development at every level
Strategic decision-making, informed by educational values and real school experience.
FREE ASSESSMENT
How digitally mature is your school?
A free, personalised report with priorities relevant to your context. Ten minutes to complete, a clearer view of where to focus next.
HOW IT WORKS
A practical, partnership-based approach.
I act as a strategic partner to leadership teams, helping them think clearly about digital change, including AI, without panic, hype or false certainty. Support may include:
- strategic planning and review of digital and AI approaches
- leadership facilitation and decision-making support
- AI-ready digital strategies that reflect school values
- guidance on policy, staff development and responsible implementation
- coaching leaders to exercise judgement in complex areas
The focus is always on building internal capacity, so schools grow their own confidence and coherence over time.
WHO IT’S FOR
Strategic digital support for education leaders.
This work is particularly relevant for:
- Schools and trusts facing AI, assessment, integrity and digital change
- Senior leadership teams seeking clarity and coherence in digital strategy
- Education organisations and EdTech teams wanting grounded insight on adoption
- Boards and executive leaders balancing opportunity, risk and values
Whether you are responding to AI for the first time, reviewing an existing strategy or embedding change across an organisation, this support is shaped to your context.
WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER
How we can work together.
Three layers, from a single strategic consultation to a sustained partnership.
01
Initial strategic consultation
A free, structured senior-level conversation to test whether working together would be valuable. We:
- explore your strategic aims for digital and AI
- surface key tensions, risks and uncertainties
- sense-check existing plans
- clarify where external support would help, and where it would not
The outcome is shared clarity about next steps, with no commitment to further work.
02
Digital strategy audit
A structured, evidence-informed review of how technology supports teaching, learning, leadership and organisational effectiveness. Usually one or two days, and may include:
- conversations with senior leaders and key staff
- review of digital systems, workflows and policies
- observation of classroom and operational practice
- consideration of AI readiness, governance and confidence
Findings are clear and prioritised: strengths to build on, points of friction, where to focus next.
03
Digital strategy partnership
Sustained strategic capacity for schools and trusts, embedded over time:
- ongoing access to a trusted strategic adviser
- attendance at senior and executive meetings
- support with digital and AI policy development and review
- facilitation of professional learning and leadership development
- follow-through on audit findings and agreed priorities
- regular review of progress, risks and emerging challenges
Senior-level continuity and judgement, without the cost or rigidity of a full-time appointment.
IN THEIR WORDS
Don’t just take my word for it.
“Your expertise and professionalism were very well received by our school leaders. Thanks for generating real clarity on next steps.”
Dr Ian Young
CEO, Keys Academies Trust
“José has depth and breadth of experience in school leadership and strategic business, and will give you a space to think and consider. Most importantly, he knows that whilst there might be a few quick wins, he also knows that school improvement and high-performance take time to nurture and space to grow.”
Mike Buchanan
Director, Positively Leading, and former Chair of HMC
“José is a clear-eyed and compelling guide to the intersection between pedagogical theory, educational research and the use of technology to build value upon both.”
Dominic Norrish
CEO, Unity Schools Partnership
Your next step starts with a conversation.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, expert digital strategy support rooted in real school experience, I’d be glad to explore whether this would be useful in your context.
Or email jose@azimuth.org.uk
