As we head into 2023, it’s no secret that the events of recent years have changed the way many schools approach teaching. After having to adapt to the challenges of delivering remote learning, schools are now facing the prospect of integrating a wave of new laptops and devices into the post-pandemic classroom environment.
It may not come as a surprise, then, if your school’s old wireless network is starting to creak under the pressure.
But there is some good news. Thanks to the UK Government’s Connect the Classroom scheme, you could secure funding for that much needed WiFi upgrade.
What is Connect the Classroom?
Provided by the Department for Education (DfE), Connect the Classroom aims to help schools ensure their connectivity is set for the future. The scheme is used to deliver a high quality wireless network based on the latest WiFi 6 standards, enabling schools to support the increasing demand from devices for the next 10 years.
How can Haptic Networks help me to take advantage of the scheme?
As you read this, we are actively engaged with the DfE in helping them to define solutions for eligible schools, including delivering a Connect the Classroom funded solution to a 7 school multi-academy trust.
We leverage our 15 years of experience in working with schools to ensure your institution receives a solution that is fully DfE compliant, while remaining sympathetic to your school’s existing infrastructure. By partnering with us, we can help you with future-proofing your environment to support current and future teaching and learning requirements.
How do I find out if my school is eligible for DfE funding?
Schools that have been selected by the DfE for funding will receive an email invitation confirming qualification for the scheme. This is normally sent to a senior member of the school, so please check with your school leadership team if you think you may be eligible. Eligibility is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to your OFSTED rating, location and the condition of your current network.
Are there any specific technical requirements that have to be met to secure the funding?
To ensure your school can benefit from fast and reliable connectivity for years to come, a DfE funded deployment would need to include Access Points capable of WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with a minimum of 2.5Gbs uplink throughput, as well as 20Gb fibre links from edge to core.
As you discuss your requirements with our team, we will work with you to ensure your deployment fully complies with the DfE technical standards so you can make the most of the Connect the Classroom scheme.
What are the next steps to get started?
It’s very easy to get the ball rolling with us:
- If your school has been invited by the DfE to apply for funding, give us a call and we can begin to discuss your specific needs.
- When we’ve determined the right solution, we’ll then provide you with a quote that is tailored to DfE requirements.
- If you’re happy, you’ll then submit your quote to your DfE advisor for funding approval.
- When approved, after choosing us as your supplier, we will then work with you to deliver and deploy your future-proofed wireless network.
If your school’s network is grinding to a halt, our friendly team can keep your classroom connected.
