Discover More About the DfE Connect The Classroom Funding for Your School with Stream Networks.
What is the Connect The Classroom Scheme?
Improving Internet Speeds in Schools: The Connect the Classroom DfE Funded programme
The government-funded Department for Education Connect the Classroom initiative aims to future-proof and enhance internet speed for schools. This involves upgrading wireless network WiFi access points and network switches. The programme has recently been extended and is set to continue until 2025 with £250 million of funding available.
Connect the Classroom School Eligibility Requirements
An eligible school must meet certain criteria to apply for the connect the classroom funding.
Firstly, the school must fall below the WiFi Connectivity network infrastructure DfE Specifications as set out by the DfE and WiFi Alliance as follows.
USE THE LATEST WIRELESS NETWORKS STANDARDS
The school must use the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology and the solution must be able to support Quality of Service (QoS) and network segregation.
CENTRALLY MANAGED SOLUTION
Have a WiFi solution that is centrally managed, scalable and provides active signal management with network monitoring.
FULLY FUNCTIONAL SIGNAL
The school must have a fully functional wireless network signal throughout the whole school campus.
SECURE NETWORK
To safeguard your school’s network, you need a secure WiFi network that prevents unauthorised access and segregates staff, pupils and guest network access. This can be achieved by using advanced technology such as access control lists, wireless intrusion protection, and multi-factor authentication.
Additionally, the school must be in either an Education Investment Area with an Ofsted rating that requires improvement or was classed as inadequate and any school listed in a Priority Education Investment Area as identified in the 2022 school’s white paper.
Education Investment Areas
The following areas in England are listed as EIA’s.
Bedford, Blackpool, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Cornwall, County Durham, Coventry, Darlington, Derby, Derbyshire, Doncaster, Dorset, Dudley, East Sussex, Halton, Hartlepool, Isle of Wight, Kirklees, Knowsley, Leeds, Lincolnshire, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Norfolk, North Northamptonshire, North Somerset, North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Oldham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, South Tyneside, St Helens, Stoke-on-Trent, Suffolk, Sunderland, Swindon, Tameside, Wakefield, Walsall and the Wirral.
Priority Education Investment Areas
The following areas are listed as PEIA’s
Blackpool, Bradford, Derby, Doncaster, Fenlands and East Cambridgeshire, Halton, Hartlepool, Hastings, Ipswich, Knowsley, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Nottingham, Oldham, Portsmouth, Rochdale, Salford, Sandwell, Scarborough, Stoke-on-Trent, Tameside, Walsall, and West Somerset.
Enhance Your School’s Wireless Infrastructure and User Experience with Stream Networks
Stream Networks offers a comprehensive managed wireless networking solution that is designed to not only elevate your school’s wireless infrastructure and internet connection but also improve the user experience for both staff and pupils.
CHOOSING THE BEST SOLUTIONS
We’ve teamed up with top WiFi vendors, such as Aruba, Juniper, and Cambium, to provide the most up-to-date cloud-based wireless infrastructure available.
DFE APPROVED EVERYTHING ICT FRAMEWORK
Our ICT infrastructure and IT support services are available to you through the DfE-approved ICT procurement framework. As an approved supplier, we guarantee that you’ll receive excellent value for your money and a reliable procurement option.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Our project management and technical teams are on hand to provide exceptional project management technical support and WiFi site surveys to ensure your WiFi infrastructure is delivered on time, is secure and provides high speed network access throughout the school campus.
ISO27001 & ISO9001
Stream Networks have ISO27001 and ISO9001 certification ensuring we maintain an effective information management system and demonstrates our commitment to customer service and quality in delivery.
Read Our Case Studies
Working within a range of public and private sectors Stream can help transition your network infrastructure to the latest WiFi Alliance specifications.
CASE STUDYWant to find out more information on Connect the Classroom and register for funding?
Contact us
If your school is eligible for Connect The Classroom, please complete our registration form below or call us on 01635 884170 and claim a free WiFi Survey.