DfE Connecting the Classroom project funding

[password1234]

Hi

 

Anyone participating or eligible for the DFE funding for the connecting the Classroom project? Where DFE are willing to fund Access points / brand new switches and improving the schools wireless infrastructure

 

Only a handful of schools are eligible for this.

 

All the schools we support handful out of a many (Primary/Infant) schools have all been accepted

 

Their requirements are Wifi 6 access points across all the schools and min 2.5GBS switches (Overkill switches for small infant/primary schools) and they all need to have a minimum of 5 year warranty attached to them! but if they willing to fund it and its free money happy days!

 

Just wondering if anyone is taking part in this?

[SteveSaywell]

Hi

 

Anyone participating or eligible for the DFE funding for the connecting the Classroom project? Where DFE are willing to fund Access points / brand new switches and improving the schools wireless infrastructure

 

Only a handful of schools are eligible for this.

 

All the schools we support handful out of a many (Primary/Infant) schools have all been accepted

 

Their requirements are Wifi 6 access points across all the schools and min 2.5GBS switches (Overkill switches for small infant/primary schools) and they all need to have a minimum of 5 year warranty attached to them! but if they willing to fund it and its free money happy days!

 

Just wondering if anyone is taking part in this?

Do you have a link to any information from the DfE about this project, I've had a quick look but can't see anything but would be interested to see if we qualify

[password1234]

Do you have a link to any information from the DfE about this project, I've had a quick look but can't see anything but would be interested to see if we qualify

 

I think Schools that were eligible for LFFN programme (Mainly for rural schools) a few years back are being contacted directly by the DFE for this new programme

[IT_JB]

I have had 7 schools accepted on this project, it's a follow on from the rural gigabit scheme so you had to be on that project to qualify.

 

The spec is taken from the DfE's new school build tech spec so it's very high compared to what I would normally consider for infrastructure upgrades.

 

The 5 year min on the warranty rules out any unifi kit, at the moment we are looking at Meraki and Aruba.

[Primus]

I have had 7 schools accepted on this project, it's a follow on from the rural gigabit scheme so you had to be on that project to qualify.

 

The spec is taken from the DfE's new school build tech spec so it's very high compared to what I would normally consider for infrastructure upgrades.

 

The 5 year min on the warranty rules out any unifi kit, at the moment we are looking at Meraki and Aruba.

 

Does it have to be manufacturer warranty as I'm sure some of the big resellers would offer to extend the warranty on Unifi to 5 years for a reasonable charge?

 

For Meraki you'll want the longest possible licence you can get as when it expires they stop working.

[IT_JB]

Does it have to be manufacturer warranty as I'm sure some of the big resellers would offer to extend the warranty on Unifi to 5 years for a reasonable charge?

 

For Meraki you'll want the longest possible licence you can get as when it expires they stop working.

 

Yes they specify needing a 5yr manufacturer warranty.

 

With the Meraki kit they will also fund the first 5 years of licencing.

[Primus]

Yes they specify needing a 5yr manufacturer warranty.

 

With the Meraki kit they will also fund the first 5 years of licencing.

 

You'll then need to budget to renew the licence or replace the hardware after 5 years as the Meraki licence is a substantial cost.

 

That said I think I saw they were once again running a promotion that gave you 10 years instead of 5??

[atcoates]

You'll then need to budget to renew the licence or replace the hardware after 5 years as the Meraki licence is a substantial cost.

 

That said I think I saw they were once again running a promotion that gave you 10 years instead of 5??

AP renewal costs are around £180 for another 5 years and depending on switch anywhere from £130-£250 for another 10 years.

[password1234]

I have had 7 schools accepted on this project, it's a follow on from the rural gigabit scheme so you had to be on that project to qualify.

 

The spec is taken from the DfE's new school build tech spec so it's very high compared to what I would normally consider for infrastructure upgrades.

 

The 5 year min on the warranty rules out any unifi kit, at the moment we are looking at Meraki and Aruba.

Yes same with us as well, their Requirements are really an overkill especially for small primary / infants school, but if that's what they want not really complaining

 

We are thinking of going with Cisco Meraki AP and Switches and also they maybe willing to fund for extra Data points to be installed in classrooms for additional Access points and even Fibre connection between main building and some of the schools that have mobile classroom units.

 

They have said to go for Tier 1 Supplier.

 

Have you managed to source out a Tier 1 Supplier to get quotes for the equipment, we have tried to reach to Cisco meraki they just seem an age taking time to get back to us!

[Sylv3r]

We have one school that has qualified and we are also looking at Meraki to match the setup we already have.

[Disease]

 

The spec is taken from the DfE's new school build tech spec so it's very high compared to what I would normally consider for infrastructure upgrades.

 

 

Anyone have a link to the new build tech requirements, would be interested to read and compare.

[IT_JB]

Section 4 is the ICT requirements

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/939186/Generic_Design_Brief_Nov_2020.pdf

[password1234]

Purchasing via meeraki direct is not possible right? they only do it via resellers? correct?

[Wave9_Lee]

We're supplying schools under this scheme if anyone is interested in a quote for Cisco Meraki. And ref a previous Q - yes Meraki offer a 10 year licence for the price of 5 in education, so not a bad option. We can offer the solution through a single award procurement framework, so you don't necessarily need to go to 3 quotes if that works for you.

 

The specifications are a little overkill, but the people running the program want to get the most future proof solution available and not too concerned that there are more 'cost-effective' options. As is often the case with these kind of programs, they are focussed on delivering the objective, spending the budgets as quickly as possible.

[password1234]

Has anyone submitted figures to DFE yet and got accepted?

 

We have just about got our figures from suppliers today and have started to submit them

 

Some of the quotes we have got back are around £30k in total for the entire project (new data points/new switches/access points/licensing etc.) for a small primary school (half of the costs are support costs though cisco and l2 support)

 

 

 

Just curious if anyone got it approved and if so if they mind sharing what cost range they submitted

[bitznpcz]

What kit is everyone going for? The LA are quoting for Cambium networks kit (XV2-2, EX2052, EX2016M-P) - I've not used these before and don't know whether they're good or not.

 

I've mainly been installing Ubiquiti kit recently, but this doesn't meet DfE standards unfortunately.

 

I'm meeting a supplier next week from the Everything ICT framework and he's mentioned Zyxel, Meraki and Aruba. I know Meraki and Aruba are pretty solid and Meraki would probably be my preferred choice with the 10 year licence.

 

The schools are small rural primaries with around 60 pupils, so normally budgets are tight and I want to get best value out of this project.

 

I'm interested in everyone's thoughts and opinions on the four companies. Thanks

[password1234]

What kit is everyone going for? The LA are quoting for Cambium networks kit (XV2-2, EX2052, EX2016M-P) - I've not used these before and don't know whether they're good or not.

 

I've mainly been installing Ubiquiti kit recently, but this doesn't meet DfE standards unfortunately.

 

I'm meeting a supplier next week from the Everything ICT framework and he's mentioned Zyxel, Meraki and Aruba. I know Meraki and Aruba are pretty solid and Meraki would probably be my preferred choice with the 10 year licence.

 

The schools are small rural primaries with around 60 pupils, so normally budgets are tight and I want to get best value out of this project.

 

I'm interested in everyone's thoughts and opinions on the four companies. Thanks

 

We are opting for Cisco Meraki MR56 Access Points

and for Switches MS390

 

We have also put in bids to get extra data sockets installed in some of the classrooms which does not have any data points there, and also some schools made a bid to get Fibre connection installed to mobile classrooms outside the main buildings, with new data points and cabs.

 

Meraki Deals we got quotes 10 years for the price of 5 Years

 

Quotes we have got back so far ranging from like £20-£100k (Including everything support costs seems to be the bulk of the costs!) and these are mainly for Small Primary / Junior / infant schools we support with around 8-15 APS and some schools with a single switch and others with multiple

 

How much the DFE are willing to approve per school is yet to be known, we did have a meeting with dFE they were a bit tight lipped about budget per school when we questioned if there was a limit to all we got from them is "Whatever is needed will be considered" and the solutions are a real overkill in terms of requirements for small schools.

 

We too been using Unifi but does not cut the chase with the DFE, so we opted for Meraki ones

Edited June 24, 2021 by password1234

[bitznpcz]

Thanks for that. We're looking at one core switch and two PoE for failover. Probably 5/6 APs per school in total including one external for Tapestry/DoJo use.

 

Hoping to get some new CAT6 cabling to the APs as well.

 

The requirements definitely are overkill and I have some larger primaries limping along on poor broadband speeds and inadequate wifi, but don't have the budgets to improve things.

[snagrat]

Thanks for that. We're looking at one core switch and two PoE for failover. Probably 5/6 APs per school in total including one external for Tapestry/DoJo use.

 

Hoping to get some new CAT6 cabling to the APs as well.

 

The requirements definitely are overkill and I have some larger primaries limping along on poor broadband speeds and inadequate wifi, but don't have the budgets to improve things.

 

Cat6A should be installed to the APs as per the funding available.

[snagrat]

What kit is everyone going for? The LA are quoting for Cambium networks kit (XV2-2, EX2052, EX2016M-P) - I've not used these before and don't know whether they're good or not.

 

I've mainly been installing Ubiquiti kit recently, but this doesn't meet DfE standards unfortunately.

 

I'm meeting a supplier next week from the Everything ICT framework and he's mentioned Zyxel, Meraki and Aruba. I know Meraki and Aruba are pretty solid and Meraki would probably be my preferred choice with the 10 year licence.

 

The schools are small rural primaries with around 60 pupils, so normally budgets are tight and I want to get best value out of this project.

 

I'm interested in everyone's thoughts and opinions on the four companies. Thanks

 

I’m surprised the DfE will approve the Cambium switches as they do not fit the specification requirements.

 

The APs will however but I would be pushing for the XV3-8.

 

The Cisco kit is the best option but the switches themselves are 600mm deep so no chance of going in a wall mounted cabinet.

 

We are pushing for a complete rewire at a number of schools we support so the cabinet locations can be moved to floor level and a 800mm deep floor standing cabinet

[password1234]

Thanks for that. We're looking at one core switch and two PoE for failover. Probably 5/6 APs per school in total including one external for Tapestry/DoJo use.

 

Hoping to get some new CAT6 cabling to the APs as well.

 

The requirements definitely are overkill and I have some larger primaries limping along on poor broadband speeds and inadequate wifi, but don't have the budgets to improve things.

 

We queried about replacing the existing Cat5 Cables at the school with Cat6, they said they wont be funding for this, and they will only fund for Cat 6 Cabling required for new data points for access points.

 

They wont replace any existing cable unfortunately or for hard wired devices. - we tried asking them that and they told us that

[StoneGroup_JackW]

Hi All,If you would like to ‘reach out’ to the team at Stone, we’re currently working on Connect the Classroom (CtC) roll-outs with schools & academy trusts for both Cisco Meraki & Aruba platforms through the CSS and Everything ICT frameworks.

 

Having won a number of major MAT deployments, we can help with navigating the design / procurement hurdles…so please feel free to get in touch directly!

[synaesthesia]

Hi All,If you would like to ‘reach out’ to the team at Stone, we’re currently working on Connect the Classroom (CtC) roll-outs with schools & academy trusts for both Cisco Meraki & Aruba platforms through the CSS and Everything ICT frameworks.

 

Having won a number of major MAT deployments, we can help with navigating the design / procurement hurdles…so please feel free to get in touch directly!

 

I think many of us would love to, but when your phones instantly hang up after saying there's noone to take your call constantly, it's a little unhelpful.

[StoneGroup_JackW]

Thanks for the feedback, it is appreciated and I will certainly pass that comment on to management etc. so we can better organize how the calls are managed coming into the business. Feel free to call me on my direct dial of 01785 786831, or my email is [email protected].

[password1234]

Had one school get approved to the value of around £15k for around 8 AP's + Licensing + Switches + Associated Install Costs

Using all Meraki Equipment - this was one of the smaller schools we support

 

Just have more paperwork to fill in now to get everything submitted