Connect the Classroom Funding for Schools

Is your school eligible for a funded wireless network upgrade?

If your school has been contacted about Connect the Classroom funding, ICTn can help you move quickly and get the technical side right from the start. The Department for Education scheme helps eligible schools upgrade poor or outdated WiFi networks, including wireless access points, network switches and the supporting infrastructure behind them.

From reviewing your current setup and preparing technical reports, specifications and pricing information, through to quotation, installation, testing and ongoing support, ICTn can help your school manage the project properly and with as little disruption as possible.

Speak to an ICTn Specialist

Get the right support from the start

ICTn supports schools through the full Connect the Classroom process, whether you are preparing information for the DfE, arranging supplier proposals or ready to move ahead with an upgrade.

We can review your existing WiFi, check access points, switches and cabling, identify weak coverage, prepare technical information, provide a clear quotation and install the agreed solution once approved.

What is Connect the Classroom?

Connect the Classroom is a government funded programme from the Department for Education. It is designed to improve internet speed and wireless coverage in schools by upgrading the network infrastructure behind classroom technology.

The scheme focuses on WiFi access points, network switches, cabling infrastructure, centrally managed wireless systems and security controls. It is not usually about buying laptops, tablets or classroom devices; it is about making sure those devices can connect reliably, securely and consistently across the school.

The latest funding, eligibility and DfE process

The latest phase of Connect the Classroom forms part of the Department for Education’s wider investment in school digital connectivity. The government has earmarked £325 million for digital connectivity, including the expansion of Connect the Classroom, with £25 million committed to wireless network improvements for around 1,000 schools in 2025-2026.

Eligible schools are normally contacted directly by the DfE. Once contacted, schools must apply for Connect the Classroom funding and provide accurate information about their current network infrastructure, which may include completing a Network Asset Form.

Suppliers then provide proposals, the school selects a preferred supplier, and the DfE reviews the proposal before issuing a funding agreement. A clear survey, accurate specification and suitable quotation can make the process much easier to manage.

Request a Connect the Classroom Review

Why schools need to move quickly

When a new funding round opens, schools often have very little time to move from initial contact to survey, specification, quotation and approval. A poor survey, vague specification or delayed quote can slow the process down and put unnecessary pressure on the application.

ICTn can help by reviewing your current setup, identifying what needs to change and preparing clear recommendations that match the practical needs of your site.

What can Connect the Classroom funding cover?

Connect the Classroom funding is focused on improving wireless network infrastructure. Depending on your school’s existing systems and the DfE requirements for the current phase, this may include:

Wireless access points
Network switches
Cabling infrastructure
Centrally managed WiFi
Security features and network segregation
Installation, configuration and testing
Project management and handover documentation

If your existing systems cannot support newer, faster wireless technology, ICTn can advise whether related infrastructure should be included in the funding request.

Why choose ICTn?

ICTn has supported schools, MATs and public sector organisations for more than 25 years. We understand school networks, school budgets, safeguarding requirements and the need to keep disruption to teaching as low as possible.

ICTn is an IT supplier with extensive experience in education. We understand the practical challenges schools face when upgrading network infrastructure within tight funding timescales, and we will recommend a solution that fits your actual school environment.

Built around safeguarding, security and future growth

A school WiFi upgrade needs to do more than improve signal strength. The network should support safe, secure and controlled access for staff, pupils, visitors and devices, while also supporting filtering, firewall policies, secure authentication and sensible network segmentation.

A properly designed wireless network should also support your school for years to come. ICTn can help you consider wireless coverage, internet speed, switch capacity, cabling standards, centralised management, outdoor areas, future classroom technology and growth across the school or trust.

Our Connect the Classroom process

ICTn can support as much or as little of the process as your school needs:

Initial no obligation conversation
Existing WiFi, access point, switch and cabling review
Site survey where required
Practical recommendations and clear quotation
Installation, configuration and testing once approved
Handover documentation and ongoing support

Ready to move on Connect the Classroom funding?

Whether you are still trying to understand the process or already have a specification in mind, ICTn can help your school take the next step. We can review your current setup, advise on the technical information needed and provide a clear route forward.

Not sure where to start?

Many schools know their WiFi is not good enough, but do not know whether the problem is access points, switches, cabling, broadband, configuration or site layout. ICTn can review your existing setup and help you understand what needs to change.

Speak to an ICTn Specialist

Already know what you need?

If your school already has a proposed specification, ICTn can review it, provide an impartial second opinion and confirm whether it is suitable for a modern school environment. We can also provide a direct quote if you are ready to move.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DfE Connect the Classroom scheme?
Connect the Classroom is a government funded connect programme from the Department for Education. The CTC scheme supports eligible schools with upgrading networking infrastructure, including wireless access points, network switches and cabling, so their WiFi can meet DfE standards.

The classroom programme is focused on improving internet speed, WiFi coverage and secure access across school or college buildings. It is not usually intended to fund laptops, tablets or classroom devices; it is about making sure the network behind those mobile devices is reliable, secure and fit for purpose.
Which schools are eligible for Connect the Classroom funding?
Eligible schools are normally contacted directly by the DfE. Funding supports schools below DfE WiFi connectivity standards, including schools receiving targeted intervention, schools in priority education investment areas and schools where poor network infrastructure is affecting teaching and learning outcomes.

Schools in the RISE programme, which stands for Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence, may be eligible for funding consideration. Not all schools are included in every funding round, so if your school or responsible body has been contacted about the next phase, it is worth acting quickly.
What does Connect the Classroom funding usually cover?
Connect the Classroom funding is designed to help schools receive funding to upgrade switches and wireless access points, along with the supporting cabling infrastructure and centrally managed systems needed to deliver a fully functional signal across school buildings.

Depending on your existing setup, the classroom project may include WiFi access points, network switches, cabling, security features, network segregation, installation, testing and handover documentation. The programme aims to help schools meet DfE WiFi connectivity standards and reduce the digital divide between schools with strong connectivity and those still held back by older infrastructure.
Does the funding cover devices or classroom equipment?
Connect the Classroom funding is focused on the network itself, rather than classroom devices. The aim is to make sure teachers and pupils can use existing and future technology properly, with reliable WiFi, suitable network capacity and secure access across the site.

If your current infrastructure cannot support newer, faster technology or the latest wireless network standard, ICTn can advise whether related work should be included in the funding request. This may include checking switches, cabling, access points, centralised management and whether the network is designed to prevent unauthorised access.
Why does supplier experience matter for a Connect the Classroom project?
A school network is different from a commercial network. The best solutions need to support safeguarding, filtering, controlled access, visitor access, staff and pupil devices, secure network segregation and reliable coverage across classrooms, offices, halls, outdoor spaces and wider school or college buildings.

Choosing a supplier with a proven track record in education can make the service smoother and reduce the risk of delays, poor specification or disruption. ICTn understands the practical demands of school WiFi, including how to design a future proof network that supports teachers, pupils and long-term educational outcomes.
What is the Network Asset Form?
The Network Asset Form helps the DfE understand your school’s current network infrastructure. It may include details of existing access points, switches, cabling, coverage issues, security controls and whether your WiFi currently provides a functional signal across the school.

This information helps the DfE assess the need for funding and understand what work may be required. A clear survey and accurate technical information can make the funding process easier to manage.
Can we choose our own supplier?
Schools usually receive supplier proposals before selecting a preferred supplier for the classroom project. The DfE then reviews the proposal before issuing a funding agreement.

When comparing suppliers, schools should look for education experience, clear technical recommendations, strong project management, an understanding of DfE funding requirements and a practical approach to installation in live school buildings.
Does a poor Ofsted rating affect eligibility?
The DfE may prioritise schools with the greatest need, including those receiving targeted intervention or those in education investment areas. An Ofsted rating may be relevant where it links to wider regional improvement or targeted support, but eligibility is ultimately based on the DfE’s criteria for the current phase.

If your school has been contacted, ICTn can help you understand what information may be needed and whether your current WiFi infrastructure is likely to meet DfE standards.
How can ICTn help if we already know what we need?
If your school already has a proposed specification, ICTn can provide impartial advice, review the technical detail and confirm whether the solution is suitable for a modern school environment. We can also provide a clear quotation if you are ready to move ahead.

This is especially useful where older systems may not support the latest wireless network standard or where existing cabling, switches or security controls could limit the performance of the new WiFi.
How can ICTn help if we do not know where to start?
ICTn can start with a review of your existing WiFi, access points, switches, cabling and known problem areas. From there, we can identify what is holding the network back and provide practical recommendations for the next step.

For many schools, this gives a clearer view of whether the issue is coverage, capacity, cabling, network management, security or the wider infrastructure behind the WiFi.
Speak to ICTn before the funding window moves on
If your school has been contacted about Connect the Classroom, ICTn can help you move quickly and avoid unnecessary delays. We can help with the paperwork, prepare the technical information, provide a clear quotation and deliver the full installation.

Call today for a no obligation chat, arrange a free survey of your existing setup, or ask us for impartial advice if you already know what you need.

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