info@telgroup.co.uk 
0800 652 1900
What is Connect the Classroom?
Connect the Classroom is a scheme funded by the DfE to provide schools within Education Investment Areas across the UK with a seamless and future-proof wireless networking solution.
This initiative will transform your school’s current IT and network infrastructure, improving connectivity and coverage across your premises with Access Points and Fibre Cabling to meet the demands of your school.
Eligible schools on the 2022 funding program should of now been contacted by the DfE, and eligible schools for 2023 & 2024 funding will be contacted around December 2022. However, if you are unsure of your eligibility status then please get in touch and we can help.
Who is eligible?
The DfE have grouped all eligible schools into 3 different categories, Priority Education Investment Areas, Education Investment Areas and Intervention Schools.
1) Priority Education Investment Areas – All schools in the following areas are eligible
Blackpool, Bradford, Derby, Doncaster, Fenlands and East Cambridgeshire, Halton, Hartlepool, Hastings, Ipswich, Knowsley, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire Coast, Norwich, Nottingham, Oldham, Portsmouth, Rochdale, Salford, Sandwell, Stoke-on-Trent, Tameside, Walsall, West Somerset
2) Education Investment Areas – All schools in the following areas rated as ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Inadequate’ at last inspection.
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, Wirral
3) Intervention Schools – All intervention schools are eligible, no matter of location.
What are the next steps?
Once you’ve received your invitation you will need to complete a compliant bid to obtain the funding. Your school can then apply direct via Tel Group.
-
- Get in touch with our team to request a quote and discuss your requirements.
- We will provide a quote designed exclusively to DfE specifications which you can review and share with your DfE advisor.
- Once approved, our team will develop the plan for your projects delivery and installation.
- Along the way, you will receive proactive support, guidance and training, as well as after care once your project is complete.
- Enjoy your new connectivity!
Why choose Tel Group?
Specialising in IT services and strategy for the education sector, we understand the unique requirements and challenges schools face in regards to IT and Connectivity.
- With 16 years experience and 1000+ education customers as part of the Tel Group family, we are able to work with your school to provide a bespoke DfE approved solution tailored towards your requirements.
-
Throughout our 16 years as a business, we have worked with the DfE on a number of projects and continue to do so.
-
We understand your schools requirements and are able to offer a solution that works towards your allocated budgets, wants and needs.
Unfortunately, not every school will qualify for this funding. If your school is in this position, we will still provide the DfE approved pricing, helping you achieve the same results.
The Process
Once you’ve received your invitation you will need to complete a compliant bid to obtain the funding. Your school can then apply direct via Tel Group.
- Engagement
- Initial contact either directly by DfE, or responsible body
- Assessment–
- Each school submits a network asset form and completes a survey – We can do this on behalf of the school
- Procurement–
- Once accepted, the school selects their preferred supplier and submits the cost matrix to DfE for approval
- DfE give the school a funding agreement to the value of the approved level of cost
- Delivery–
- School/responsible body liaise with their supplier to schedule works
- Cost changes submitted to DfE for update to funding agreement
- Claim–
- School submits invoice for all or part of the works. Multiple payments are allowed
- A claim must be submitted by March 2023, even if only for some of the work
- DfE channels payment through the responsible body
Connect the Classroom Case Study
In 2021, we worked with a number of schools on the DfE Connect the Classroom scheme. One school was Mill Ford, a school in Plymouth that had 2 local sites needing an integrated wireless network connection.
Read our full case study to find out how we helped Mill Ford school through DfE funding on the Connect the Classroom Scheme.
