Report: The patchwork problem

School management report 2026: How a 'connected view' has become critical to school improvement 

Leading schools are turning the information they already hold into one connected view and are acting where it matters most. The 2026 report shows what that view makes possible across a whole school and group.

Be the first to read it

Spread of the first few pages of the report on a purple circle background

School leaders have never had more data at their fingertips. Yet it sits in separate systems, and assembling it into one clear picture of the school is often impossible. 

This is the patchwork problem: the gap between holding information and being able to use it. The report explores what closing that gap makes possible for schools and school groups.

 

Inside the report

Executive summary: the patchwork problem

  1. Managing classrooms and diverse student needs
  2. Planning curriculum, assessment and lessons
  3. Engaging parents and school communities
  4. Running schools efficiently: compliance, cloud and connected data

The anatomy of a connected, cloud-ready school. What sets leading schools and school groups apart. How Tes supports connected schools in Australia.

School management report pen to first couple of pages

What you'll take away

Read the report and you'll come away with: 

  • See where it matters most

    Where a connected view makes the biggest difference across staffing, students, wellbeing, safety and operations. 

  • Learn from the leading schools

    What the strongest trusts do differently, and the practices you can apply in your own school or trust. 

  • Make the case for change

    National evidence to take to your board or leadership team, grounded in the report. 

Who is it for

  • School leaders

    Principals, deputy principles and and school business leaders balancing workload, budgets and accountability.

  • Function leads

    Student wellbeing, pastoral care, learning support, people and data leaders who hold the information and need it where it is needed. 

  • School group leaders

    CEOs, CFOs and COOs looking at the operating model and the value connected technology brings. 

Be the first to read it

The report publishes on 1st September 2026. Pre-register today and we will send it straight to your inbox on launch day.