Ballymena’s Castle Tower School sees benefits of new digital system supporting pupils and staff
Friday 13 November 2026
A new digital school management system is helping staff at Castle Tower School in Ballymena spend less time on administration and access vital pupil information more quickly, as the technology is introduced across Northern Ireland’s special education sector.
The school, which supports more than 400 children and young people aged three to 19, is already reporting improvements in attendance monitoring, medical and pastoral record-keeping and the way staff identify pupils who may need additional support.
The system, known as Bromcom, brings important school information together in one place, making it easier for teachers and support staff to access the details they need throughout the school day.
Helping staff respond to pupils’ needs
For a specialist school such as Castle Tower, where pupils have a diverse range of learning and support needs, having accurate information readily available is particularly important.
The new system allows staff to monitor attendance, access medical and pastoral information and identify emerging concerns without having to navigate separate administrative processes.
Aodin D'Arcy, School Management System (SMS) Lead and a member of Castle Tower’s School Management Team
Aodin D'Arcy, School Management System (SMS) Lead and a member of Castle Tower’s School Management Team, said the technology was already making a noticeable difference.
"The overall implementation has been a great success. It has helped us improve key areas across our school, including attendance monitoring, recording and accessing medical and pastoral information more effectively and reducing administrative workload."
One feature proving particularly useful is the ability to customise dashboards for different staff roles, ensuring employees can quickly see the information most relevant to their responsibilities.
These dashboards display attendance and behaviour information through percentages and trends, helping staff recognise potential concerns earlier and make more informed decisions.
Mr D'Arcy explained:
"A favourite feature is the ability to customise dashboards to suit different roles across the school. This gives staff immediate access to the information most relevant to them, including attendance and behaviour data presented through clear percentages and trends, helping to identify areas of concern at an early stage and support informed decision-making.
"The new Bromcom SMS is intuitive and easy to use, enabling staff to access the information they need to support children and young people effectively.”
Overcoming concerns about the change
Castle Tower Principal Alick Ford
Introducing a new digital system across a busy school inevitably involves adjustments, and Castle Tower Principal Alick Ford acknowledged that some staff initially felt apprehensive about the transition.
However, he said a structured preparation programme, training and ongoing support helped the school manage the change successfully.
"Initially, moving to a new system felt like a significant change, and there was some natural anxiety among staff. However, the training, support and structured T-minus journey helped us plan effectively and prepare everyone for the transition.
"As we became more familiar with the system, confidence continued to grow, supported by the guidance materials available. Overall, the transition was a very positive experience and staff felt supported every step of the way."
The school’s experience highlights the importance of practical training and staff confidence when introducing technology into an environment where reliable information and effective communication are essential to everyday pupil support.
Northern Ireland rollout progressing towards 2027
Castle Tower is among the special schools adopting Bromcom as part of a wider Education Authority programme to modernise school management systems throughout Northern Ireland.
The majority of primary schools are now using the platform, while implementation continues across other education sectors.
According to the Education Authority, the rollout remains on schedule, with implementation across all school sectors planned for completion by March 2027.
The Authority’s Education Information Solutions (EdIS) team is continuing to provide schools with training, guidance and access to a dedicated support hub as they prepare for and adopt the technology.
Further information, including guidance for schools, preparation steps and frequently asked questions, is available here.
The Education Authority has also produced an EdIS Spotlight video featuring Principal Alick Ford and Aodin D'Arcy discussing Castle Tower’s experience of introducing the system.
For Castle Tower, the significance of the change is already evident in the everyday work of its staff. By making essential information easier to access and reducing administrative demands, the school says the technology is helping its team make better-informed decisions in supporting the children and young people in their care.
