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What is the DfE Connect The Classroom programme and how can you benefit?

Richard Sambrook Smith 09-Aug-2023 13:29:39

ICT Audits & Reviews ICT Procurement & Frameworks Technology Data Management & Analytics Education Technology Educational Organisations

What is the DfE Connect The Classroom programme and how can you benefit?

Access to reliable and high-speed internet has become crucial for educational institutions that want to fully embrace the benefits of technology for not only teaching and learning, but a plethora of other services including cloud-based management information systems and wide area networks. Recognising this, Connect The Classroom by the Department for Education (DfE) focuses on upgrading Wi-Fi access points and network switches in schools across the country, all entirely funded by the programme. By enhancing their IT infrastructure, it enables seamless connectivity and opens up exciting opportunities, enabling educators to incorporate digital tools, online research, and interactive learning platforms into their teaching methods.

The programme specifically targets schools in eligible areas, including Education Investment Areas and Priority Education Investment Areas. These areas are regions in England that require additional support and investment in education. By directing resources towards these communities, the DfE Connect The Classroom programme facilitates equal access to quality education for all students. There is a total funding of up to £180 million available for participating schools, covering an initial investment in equipment and ongoing minimum of 5-year licensing.

Are you eligible to participate?

The government has identified 55 Education Investment Areas (EIAs) throughout England, 24 of which have been designated Priority EIAs. They are chosen by educational outcomes that are lowest in relation to performance of students in Key Stages 2 and 4. Furthermore, schools in the remaining EIAs with an Ofsted rating below ‘Good’ at the most recent inspection are eligible to apply too. It’s also worth noting that the government has announced a MAT CEO programme that is designed to increase leadership capacity in order to further support improvement in EIAs across England.

For Connect The Classroom, the schools that fall into these areas should have already been contacted by the DfE and made aware of the opportunity. However they will also need to fall below the Wi-Fi connectivity standards, which are broken down into four main sections aiming to gauge current network capability and capacity:

Using the latest wireless network standard approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance
Having a fully functional signal from your wireless network throughout the school or college buildings and externally where required
Having a solution that can centrally manage the wireless network
Installing security features to stop unauthorised access

It's important to note that schools wishing to apply are responsible for procuring their own supplier. We at Novatia can handle all of your ICT procurement, meaning no headaches or complications with this step of the process. We run procurement exercises supplying the necessary equipment tailored for you, with full-service fulfilment, where we can manage the entire end-to-end procurement process on your behalf. Once procurement is completed, the DfE will inform you of the amount of funding your school can get and the terms and conditions for making a claim.

A host of benefits

As previously discussed, DfE Connect The Classroom focuses on providing schools with fast, reliable and secure internet access. The beauty of the programme is the simplicity in its concept. By that, we mean how it focuses on one aspect of a school's IT infrastructure, which then leads the way for a bounty of various benefits to teaching and learning. Of course, the process of upgrading networks often isn’t straightforward, but the principle still applies. So what exactly are the key benefits provided by increased connectivity?

With high-speed internet, students can simultaneously access a wealth of online educational resources, including media-rich e-books, videos, interactive lessons, and virtual reality experiences. These resources can provide students with a more engaging and interactive learning experience, enabling them to grasp complex concepts more easily and retain information better. Essentially, there are more options available for teaching and whatever the curriculum area or desired learning outcome, decisions can be made on the best methods and tools - breaking down the technological barriers to personalised learning.

Furthermore, the long-term commitment from DfE (5 year licence) also helps to ensure schools can focus on supplying quality education without the looming issues brought about by recurring expenses. The 5 year minimum also establishes a solid foundation for schools to adapt their curriculums for the implementation of new, digital learning platforms and resources. As well as teaching benefits, a better internet can improve administrative processes and efficiency within school systems, including administrative tasks such as student registration, attendance tracking, and assessments.

How Novatia can help

At Novatia, we have decades of experience working with schools, academies and MATs throughout the UK, specialising in IT infrastructure, procurement and strategies. We’ve worked directly with the DfE on a variety of projects and understand the intricacies of how to drive educational value through their programmes, such as Connect The Classroom.

Because of this, we can get the most out of these schemes for your school, ensuring no stone goes left unturned and you reap the full potential of its benefits. Moreover, once the IT infrastructure is in place, our expert consultancy services can further enhance the use of your school’s systems and IT processes - led by our in-house educational consulting team who themselves have dozens of years of school leadership experience. Essentially, we can help with the whole Connect The Classroom process, from support and assistance to securing grant funding through the design, delivery, installation and support of the solution.

Please do get in touch with us if you require any more information on DfE Connect The Classroom or for a friendly chat about how we can help you. Alternatively, sign up for our newsletter here to keep up to date with the latest topics within the education sector and the work we’ve been doing.

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