LEAD I.T Services

07/06/2026

Two of our apprentices are featuring in the news this volunteers week!

Read about former Derby Kids' Camp attendees, Kayleigh Potter and Ethan Edwards' experience being at camp as kids and now volunteering at Derby Kids' Camp as adults alongside the L.E.A.D. IT team. Also featuring a statement form our Partnership Development Manager and DKC president, Chris Edwards.

📰👉https://www.fenews.co.uk/social-impact/l-e-a-d-it-services-apprentices-volunteer-for-charity-which-gave-them-life-changing-holidays-as-children/

05/06/2026

We’ll be tuning in to BBC Radio Derby this morning when L.E.A.D. IT's very own father-son duo, Chris Edwards and Ethan Edwards, will be speaking with Ian Skye about their dedication to volunteering and the support and opportunities given by L.E.A.D. IT Services to encourage staff volunteering throughout the years.

It’s a passion of ours to ensure we continue supporting our community in so many ways and we are proud that our team share the same love and sentiment for communities!

You can catch Chris and Ethan live at 11:15am with Ian Skye on BBC Radio Derby or live on BBC Sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_derby

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre Derby Kids' Camp YMCA Derbyshire

03/06/2026

We've had a fabulous time at University of Derby today, supporting our friends over at Embark Federation with their Dance Festival - providing sound, PA system, lighting equipment and videography - all ready for the dancers to take centre stage!

If you're looking for event or AV equipment support, get in touch with us at [email protected] and see how we can help you.

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

2026 Bike & Hike completed and the photos have arrived!! 🎉✔️

We had an incredible time on Saturday joining other dedicated organisations, parents, children, families and friends, all in support of Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre & Derby Kids' Camp!!

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has donated to our JustGiving page so far. All proceeds will go directly to the charities, helping give children the break they deserve.

We're not far off our target and there’s still time to donate! If you’d like to support two wonderful charities, head over to our JustGiving page 👉https://www.justgiving.com/page/lead-it-services-dkc-dchc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

The support for these two charities has been brilliant to see and be a part of. We’re so proud of the team for their contribution to this year’s Bike & Hike challenge and are grateful to all of you who have been cheering us on from sign-up to the finish line.

Special mentions go to Mylo (13 miles) and Luca (20 miles) for being the youngest members to complete the 13 and 20-mile hike!! 👏👏 Well done lads, you smashed it!!

A big thank you also goes to all the volunteers who kept us positive, fed and refreshed all the way through. 💪 And the fantastic photographers who snapped these shot for us all, 📸 John Hithersay & Averill Photography AVIT Media

🚲 Connor R, Chris E, Henry R
🚶 Lee J, Ian W, Sophie J, Ellis G, Chris C, Keiran B, Sarah T, Keara P, Ellie M, Dan B, Oliver S, Neil C, Shaun P, Ben H, Kayleigh P, Natalie J, Ben B, Hannah B, Mylo, Luca, Eli, Katie, Shantelle & Leah 👏

Cosy Jola Vaillant Derby Arena

12/05/2026

Can you help us reach our target?

There's less than a week to go for more than 25 of us L.E.A.D. IT staff members to join the other incredible participants taking on the CosyChild Bike & Hike challenge! 100 miles on a bike or a 20/13 mile hike will be completed this Saturday, all in aid of two brilliant charities that we have had the pleasure of supporting througout the years.

Derby Kids' Camp :

Derby Kids’ Camp is a volunteer-led charity providing free summer camp experiences for over 300 children across Derby and Derbyshire who may be facing difficult circumstances. Over five fun-filled weeks and through outdoor activities, friendship and adventure, the charity helps children build confidence, create lasting memories and enjoy a safe, supportive break away from everyday challenges. 🌟

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre :

Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre is a long-standing charity dedicated to providing free seaside holidays for disadvantaged children across Derbyshire. Since 1891, the charity has helped children facing difficult circumstances enjoy safe, supportive and memorable breaks away, building confidence, wellbeing and lasting friendships through fun experiences by the sea. 🌊

We're super excited to be taking part in this event again and would love some support from our friends (if you're reading this, it's you! 😉) to raise some funds for both charities this May! If you would like to contribute, our JustGiving page can be found here 👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/lead-it-services-dkc-dchc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

All proceeds go to Derby Children’s Holiday Centre & Derby Kids Camp.

A big thank you to everyone who has already contributed either on our behalf or any other way, it's all about giving these kids the break they truly deserve!

08/05/2026

The secret is out! Our very own Sophie Jepson, resource and project manager, will be entering the dance floor next month at the fabulous Derbyshire Unstrictly Dancing fundraiser!!

We’re wishing Sophie all the best for the competition which will be raising funds for five incredible Derbyshire charities, including the L.E.A.D. IT charity partners Derby Kids' Camp and Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre!

A word from the Sophie:
“My name’s Sophie and I work at L.E.A.D. IT Services in Derby. I trained in education before moving into IT. I started out as an IT technician and have since progressed into a Project Manager role, where I spend my days coordinating people, projects, and just enough tech to keep everything running smoothly. My love of IT definitely follows me home too—I’m all about smart home automation and rarely have to touch a light switch… as long as I haven’t lost my voice and can still ask “Alexa” nicely.

Outside of work, I’m a proud mum to my son and happiest when life is busy and full. You’ll often find me dancing around the kitchen while cooking or cleaning. I also volunteer with Derby Kids Camp, where I help create fun camping experiences and lasting memories for some truly wonderful children.

Growing up in a big family meant plenty of parties and weddings, and I spent many Saturdays creating routines with friends and cousins to perform at home. I’ll jump up when a party song comes on, after many years, I’ve nearly perfected the moves…mostly…

And finally, I love a good cuppa, rain or shine, there’s always one nearby.”

Well done to all the dancers who are taking part in this incredible event!👏

05/03/2026

💼 We’re recruiting! 💼

We’re looking for a First Line Helpdesk Technician to join our incredible team at L.E.A.D. IT Services!

This role will provide technical support to schools and businesses. As a 1st Line Helpdesk Technician, you will be responsible for resolving hardware and software issues, troubleshooting network problems, and delivering exceptional customer service. This role requires strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for delivering efficient and effective IT support.

At L.E.A.D we have a strong vision and four core principles, to lead, empower, achieve and drive. These principles underpin the day to day culture for support to our academies.

As a First Line Helpdesk Technician, you’ll:

💻 Provide first-line technical support to schools and businesses, resolving hardware, software, and network issues via phone, email, or ticketing systems.

🔧 Diagnose and fix problems with devices, operating systems, printers, and everyday applications.

✔️ Log and track incidents in the helpdesk system, ensuring issues are resolved within agreed service levels.

💻Escalate complex technical problems to senior technicians when needed.

🔧 Support IT installations, system deployments, migrations, and backups.

✔️ Maintain asset records, assist with equipment audits and PAT testing, and follow IT security best practices.

💻 Deliver excellent customer service while working with internal teams and users to keep systems running smoothly.

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking team that supports schools to lead, empower, achieve and drive 🚀

📅 Closing Date: 11th March 2026
👉 For more details and to apply, visit the link in the comments 💬

23/02/2026

On Friday, we hosted a full team training and development day (minus those team members a enjoying half term break!) - a brilliant opportunity to align, learn and look ahead.

A huge thank you to Andrew Skiffington and Blair Robertson from Ativion for joining us to preview StudentKeeper - an exciting new safeguarding and student wellbeing platform we’re preparing to introduce to our schools this year.
This is more than software. It’s a smarter, proactive way to support student safety and wellbeing.

And here’s the exciting part 👇
You can experience it first-hand at our M.E.E.T. event next month!
Ativion will be exhibiting at our live EdTech conference and exhibition, offering an exclusive hands-on trial of StudentKeeper.

One unmissable day. Two standout education events. 🤝

📅 Wednesday 18 March 2026 | 9:00–3:30
📍 REACH Conference Centre, Pride Park, Derby
Expect:
✔️ Cutting-edge EdTech
✔️ Practical insight you can implement immediately
✔️ Meaningful conversations with school, MAT and IT leaders across the Midlands
If safeguarding, wellbeing and digital innovation matter to your Trust - you need to be in the room.
👉 Register for your FREE place now (link in comments)

Who’s joining us on 18 March? Let us know in the comments 👇

16/02/2026

Introducing you to another member of the L.E.A.D. IT team!

This week we've spoken to, Regional IT Lead, Connor Rose 😊

🎉Your job role: Regional IT Lead

⚡Power up moment: Progressing in my career from a field technician to a Regional it lead

🍪Favourite biscuit: Chocolate hobnob

🌴Dream holiday: Tokyo

🎉Proud moment: I have done the national three peaks, Yorkshire three peaks and about to take on the Lake District 10 peaks challenge this Easter, all to fundraise for various charities.