Connect the classroom
Find out about the programme to upgrade wifi networks in schools and who can take part.
Applies to England
Overview
Connect the classroom is a government-funded programme to improve internet speed in schools. This is done by upgrading wifi access points and network switches. The programme will run until 2025.
Who can take part
To be eligible, a school must either be in:
- an education investment area and have an Ofsted rating of ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’
- a priority education investment area
We’ve contacted schools that meet these criteria.
Schools will get funding if they fall below our wifi connectivity standards, which we determine as part of our assessment.
These standards include:
- using the latest wireless network standard approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance
- having a fully functional signal from a 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
Register your interest
Eligible schools should already have received an email from us.
Email ConnectTheClassroom.DfEICT@education.gov.uk if you think you’re eligible but you’ve not been contacted. Include your school name and unique reference number (URN) in the email title. You can find your URN on Get information about schools.
What’s involved
We’ll provide funding for a supplier to carry out IT improvement work in your school. You’ll be responsible for procuring your own supplier and their work must meet our specifications.
We’ll send you an information pack containing:
- procurement requirements
- advice on finding a suitable supplier
Share the information pack with the suppliers you invite to bid for the work.
Department for Education (DfE) IT advisers can help if you’re struggling to find a supplier.
Funding
£200 million funding is available in total.
Once you’ve completed your procurement, we’ll confirm:
- the amount of funding your school can get
- the terms and conditions for making a claim
We’ll reimburse you as soon as possible after you submit a claim. We’ll use existing payment methods.
Contact
Email ConnectTheClassroom.DfEICT@education.gov.uk if you have any queries or want to arrange a call with us.
We host a term-time-only webinar on alternate Thursdays at 1.30pm for:
- suppliers (week one)
- schools and responsible bodies (week two)
We email a link to those taking part in the programme to invite them to join the webinar.
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 November 2023 + show all updates
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Removed a reference to a 5-year licence to cover costs, as that is no longer current. Revised the total available funding figure from £180 million to £200 million. Updated the information about webinars for suppliers, and for schools and responsible bodies.
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First published.