Meeting Digital and Technology Standards in Schools and Colleges

In March 2022 Ofsted launched new guidance for meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges.

These guidelines included –

• Schools and colleges should use a full fibre connection for their broadband service.
• Schools and colleges should have a backup broadband connection to ensure resilience and maintain continuity of service.

The full guidance can be found here.

Below we have outlined the technical requirements to meet the standards and the solutions HBT Communications can offer.

1. Schools and colleges should use a full fibre connection for their broadband service.

Technical Requirements to meet the standard

Broadband should be provided using a full fibre connection.

Full fibre connections are sometimes described as:

• a leased line
• fibre to the premises (FTTP)

2. Schools and colleges should have a backup broadband connection to ensure resilience and maintain continuity of service.

Technical Requirements to meet the standard

This standard requires a combination of the following:

• multiple broadband connection services (of different service types)
• multiple routers and appropriate associated router programming to provide automatic failover to backup services as and when required
• redundant power options on core active network equipment

At HBT Communications we can offer you the solutions to obtain these Ofsted standards.

• Simplifying Schools Broadband
• Accelerating School Connectivity
• Delivering secure, fast and reliable broadband for schools

HBT Communications are a key strategic partner for several Tier 1 broadband carriers, meaning we can provide schools and colleges with the right solution based on their individual requirements, location and price.

• Higher bandwidth, in some cases up to 10x faster than existing solutions
• Delivery of learning via EContent is easier and faster
• Secure network to mitigate any cyber threats
• Opportunity to consolidate your connectivity if you are multiple schools, MAT, Academies
• Online safety measures which can be managed within the school
• Service desk available during working hours
• Out of hours support 24/7 monitoring

At HBT Communications we pride ourselves on being Education specialists. We are working with our current education clients to ensure they are working towards achieving these guidelines.

Read here about how we worked with Sidney Stringer Multi Academy Trust to introduce gigabit connectivity across their schools.

Challenge HBT to reduce costs for your school

If you would like to talk to one of our education specialists about how this new guidance from Ofsted effects your school or college get in touch today for free guidance on 024 76867400.