info@telgroup.co.uk 
0800 652 1900DfE Digital and Technology Standards for Schools
These standards outline the fundamental requirements to consider when upgrading and renewing digital infrastructure under the following 12 categories, with 6 of these emphasised as *core standards that your school should be working to meet by 2030.
- Broadband *
- Wireless Network *
- Cyber Security *
- Filtering and Monitoring *
- Digital Leadership and Governance *
- Digital Accessibility
- Cabling
- Network Switching *
- Cloud Solutions
- Servers and Storage
- Laptops, Desktops and Tablets
- IT Support
Meeting these standards will enable you to make more informed decisions about technology, and it will lead to safer and more cost-efficient practices.
At Tel Group, we can carry out a DfE Standards Audit to evaluate your current provision against the required standards and identify the actions needed to achieve compliance. From there, we can develop a fully costed roadmap and support the implementation of the recommended improvements and upgrades required to meet each standard.
Meet DfE Standards with Tel Group
DfE Digital and Technology Standards Infrastructure Audit
Our DfE Standards Audits assess your IT provision against every Department for Education standard, providing a clear RAG-rated overview of compliance across individual schools or entire trusts. We identify gaps, provide recommendations and costings to achieve full compliance, and can benchmark schools side-by-side to highlight priorities across the trust.
Following the audit, Tel Group can create a tailored improvement roadmap and fully implement the recommended upgrades and changes, providing complete support from assessment through to delivery.
Infrastructure Audit
Compliance Gap Analysis
RAG Compliance Report
Implementation & Delivery
Trust-Wide Benchmarking
Ongoing Guidance
Recommendations & Costings
Strategic Reviews
Improvement Roadmaps
Complete Compliance
DfE Digital and Technology Standards for Schools
Meet the DfE’s 12 Digital and Technology Standards with Tel Group!
Broadband Internet Standards
The DfE’s Broadband standards specify the minimum requirements for broadband connectivity type, speed and resilience.
- Schools should use a full fibre connection for their broadband service
- Schools should have a backup broadband connection to ensure resilience and maintain continuity of service
- Schools should have appropriate IT security and safeguarding systems in place, under both child and data protection legislation
We can implement a broadband service that will meet these standards, with a high speed connection you can rely on.
Cyber Security Standards
This standard specifies the minimum requirements for cyber security, user accounts and data protection.
- Conduct a cyber risk assessment annually and review every term
- Create and implement a cyber awareness plan for staff and students
- Secure digital technology and data with anti-malware and a firewall
- Control and secure user accounts and access privileges
- Licence digital technology and keep it up to date
- Develop and Implement a plan to backup your data and review this annually
- Report cyber attacks
We can help you implement a cyber security strategy most suitable for your school.
Laptop, Desktop and Tablet Standards
Having the right devices for students and staff will help provide more engaging learning environments and give students equal opportunities.
- Devices should meet educational needs and support the digital technology strategy
- Devices should be safe and secure
- Devices should meet or exceed the minimum requirements
- Make sure devices are energy efficient, and they are bought and disposed of sustainably
We can provide and configure a range of school devices to support your digital technology strategy.
Servers and Storage Standards
This standard specifies the minimum requirements for servers and storage, including security, energy efficiency and environments.
- All servers and related storage platforms should continue to work if any single component or service fails
- Servers and related storage platforms must be secure and follow data protection legislation
- All servers and related storage platforms should be energy-efficient and set up to reduce power consumption, while still meeting user needs
- All server and related storage platforms should be kept and used in an appropriate physical environment
Let us help you meet DfE Server and Storage standards by reviewing and improving your current processes.
Digital Leadership and Governance Standards
The DfE’s Digital Leadership and Governance standards identifies roles and responsibilities, establishes critical processes and ensures that up-to-date information is available to support decision making.
- Assign a senior leadership team (SLT) member to be responsible for digital technology
- Keep registers relating to hardware and systems up to date
- Include digital technology within disaster recovery and business continuity plans
- Have a digital technology strategy that is reviewed every year
We can help improve your digital leadership and governance, aiding in completing these standards accordingly.
Digital Accessibility Standards
This standard specifies the minimum requirements you should meet on digital accessibility. This is required to ensure that digital products, content and services are accessible and user friendly for everyone.
- Include digital accessibility in relevant strategies and policies
- Hardware and software should support the use of accessibility features
- Communications should be accessible to all
Let us help you meet DfE Digital Accessibility standards by reviewing and improving your current processes.
Working with Tel Group
Utilising the Department for Education’s guidance on meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges is imperative to make well-informed decisions about technology, benchmark at a base level, and implement the correct digital infrastructure and technology.
As a strategic IT partner, we are able to evaluate your current provisions based on the guidelines, assist you in identifying priorities, determine next steps and implement and maintain the developments.
Contact us today to get started on meeting the DfE’s Digital and Technology Requirements!
Wireless Network Standards
This standard specifies the minimum requirements for wireless network performance, coverage, management and security.
- Use the latest wireless network standard approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance
- Have a fully functional signal from your wireless network throughout the school or college buildings and externally where required
- Have a solution that can centrally manage the wireless network
- Install security features to stop unauthorised access
When your school is ready to upgrade your underperforming and unsupported network, Tel Group will be here to guide you through it.
Filtering and Monitoring Standards
Filtering and monitoring are both important parts of safeguarding students and staff from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material.
- You should identify and assign roles and responsibilities to manage your filtering and monitoring systems
- You should review your filtering and monitoring provision at least annually
- Your filtering system should block harmful and inappropriate content, without unreasonably impacting teaching and learning
- You should have effective monitoring strategies that meet the safeguarding needs of your school or college
We can help your school meet the DfE regulations, block unauthorised content and websites and monitor usage.
Cloud Solution Standards
This standard specifies the minimum requirements you should meet when using or moving to cloud solutions, including managing access, availability, data protection and backup.
- Use cloud solutions as an alternative to locally-hosted systems, including servers
- Cloud solutions must follow data protection legislation
- Cloud solutions should use ID and access management tools
- Cloud solutions should work on a range of devices and be available when needed
- Make sure that appropriate data backup provision is in place
We can work with your school to provide scalable, on-demand cloud solutions to support you on your cloud journey.
Network Cabling Standards
Network cabling is the backbone of your network, connecting your infrastructure and devices together. The DfE has issued the minimum standards relating to the specification of your network cabling.
- Copper cabling should be Category 6A (Cat 6A)
- Optical fibre cabling should be a minimum 16 core multi-mode OM4
- New cabling should be installed and tested in line with the manufacturer’s guidance, warranty terms, and conditions
At Tel Group, we offer network cabling services for upgrades as well as new school builds. We will meet the recommended DfE standards and assist in the design and deployment of network cabling projects for your school.
Network Switching Standards
Switches connect network devices and allow them to communicate with one another. The requirements specify four categories which the DfE advises your school to meet.
- The network switches should provide fast, reliable and secure connections to all users both wired and wireless
- Have a platform that can centrally manage the network switching infrastructure
- The network switches should have security features to protect users and data from unauthorised access
- Core network switches should be connected to at least one UPS to reduce the impact of outages
We are able to provide your school with DfE compliant switches to support your schools infrastructure.
IT Support Standards
The DfE’s IT Support standards identifies what you should be adhering to with your IT Support provider, whether in-house, external or a hybrid of the two.
- Make sure IT support helps you meet the digital and technology standards
- Make sure IT support actively maintains and improves your digital technology in line with your digital strategy
- Make sure your IT support is responsive and meets agreed service expectations
- Review your IT support at least once a year
- Make sure staff get clear guidance and training on using technology
As an IT Support provider, we can ensure our solutions will help you meet the IT Support standards, alongside the other 11 standards.
DfE Standards Checklist
Our free checklist allows you to evaluate your current provisions based on the guidelines, helping you to identify priorities and determine next steps.
