Why Summer Is the Best Time for School Technology Upgrades

12 March, 2026

Delivering Major Technology Improvements Ready for September

The summer holidays provide schools and trusts with the best opportunity of the year to complete significant ICT and infrastructure upgrades. With classrooms empty and buildings fully accessible, essential work can be carried out safely, efficiently, and without disrupting teaching and learning.

This makes summer the ideal time to deliver projects that improve performance, increase reliability, and prepare your school’s technology for the year ahead.

The Ideal Time for Large Scale Upgrade Projects

During term time, infrastructure improvements are often limited by access, disruption, and the need to keep systems running continuously.

The summer break removes these constraints, allowing engineers to complete installation work and ensure systems are fully tested before the new academic year begins.

Schools commonly use the summer period to complete projects such as:

Network cabling upgrades and expansion
Full Wi-Fi installations or coverage improvements
Telephony system replacements and cloud migrations
Broadband installation and connectivity upgrades
CCTV and access control system installation

Completing this work during summer ensures everything is fully operational for September.

Modernising Ageing Infrastructure

Many schools are working with ICT infrastructure that was installed years ago, before the widespread use of cloud platforms, online systems, and increased device usage.

Upgrading during summer allows schools to replace legacy systems and improve overall performance.

This can include:

Installing new fibre or Cat6 network cabling
Upgrading wireless networks to improve coverage and capacity
Replacing legacy phone systems ahead of the BT switch off
Improving broadband speed and reliability
Enhancing site security with modern CCTV systems

These improvements help ensure technology remains reliable, secure, and fit for the future.

Supporting Future Technology and Digital Strategy

Reliable infrastructure forms the foundation of a school’s digital environment. Summer upgrades help ensure networks can support future growth, increased demand, and evolving technology requirements.

This supports key priorities such as:

Meeting DfE Digital and Technology Standards
Improving safeguarding and security systems
Supporting cloud based platforms and services
Preparing for building expansions or refurbishments
Future proofing technology investment

Planning ahead helps avoid disruption and reactive fixes during term time.

Why Planning Early Is Important

Summer provides a limited window for completing major ICT projects, and installation schedules can fill quickly.

Planning ahead allows schools to:

Secure preferred installation dates
Complete projects before the new academic year
Avoid disruption during term time
Ensure technology is fully tested and ready

How Tel Group Supports Summer ICT Upgrade Projects

Tel Group works with schools and multi academy trusts to plan and deliver infrastructure upgrades that improve connectivity, communication, and reliability.

Our summer projects commonly include: