Part 1 — Do you know your current position?
Before planning your journey, you need to understand your starting point. A digital audit is a comprehensive self-assessment that measures your school’s current position against its vision.
An effective audit extends beyond physical hardware to encompass staff capabilities, student digital literacy, and organisational culture. This helps identify strengths, reveal hidden obstacles, and ensure targeted investments.
Part 2 — What should I audit?
Device auditing
Create a detailed inventory of all digital devices — make, model, age, location and condition. Include inconsistently-used equipment such as staff personal devices or legacy technology in storage.
Infrastructure
Cover network speed, reliability, server capacity, Wi-Fi coverage and power supply. The DfE Digital and Technology Standards provide a benchmark checklist.
Cybersecurity
Evaluate firewall configuration, data backup procedures, and staff/student online safety training. The LGfL ‘Elevate’ Cyber Security Toolkit offers practical guidance aligned with DfE standards.
Systems audit
Document all software and online platforms — MIS, VLEs and communication tools. Assess effectiveness, usage patterns and interoperability.
Staff skills and attitudes
Evaluate both technical competence and attitudes toward technology integration. The Staff Digital Skills Self-Assessment is an editable Google Form.
Subscription audit
Use the Subscription audit tool to control spending and verify software value.
Digital Transformation Toolkit (DTT)
LGfL’s Digital Transformation Toolkit is a free diagnostic tool for self-assessment across all dimensions.
Key questions
- What digital tools do we have, and are they being used to their full potential?
- How confident are our staff in using technology to enhance teaching and learning?
- Do our current systems, like Wi-Fi and MIS, meet our needs?
- What is our current practice around online safety, data management and cybersecurity?
Next steps
- Form your audit team — senior leadership, teaching staff and IT support. Designate a lead and timeline.
- Delegate and gather the data — agree checklists and surveys across technical, pedagogical and staff-confidence areas.
- Analyse and report — synthesise key findings and identify improvement priorities.