DfE Connecting the Classroom project funding

[atcoates]

With a 10 year Meraki license for the APs, if after 6-7 years new technologies have evolved you can replace the old AP with a new one and the license will transfer to the new one automatically if you remove the old one from the dashboard. with the switches you could just extend the licenses.

 

We couldn't afford to replace it all in one go either so something like this allows you to start replacing earlier or at least planning. Also, who's to say the DFE won't repeat the whole process in 10 years? The big companies on this scheme, Cisco, Cisco-Meraki, and Aruba will all be trying to make sure you stay with them and no doubt will have potential offers so you stay with them for another 10 years.

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

Below makes for interesting reading, government setting the standard, I have oversight of a number of primary school budgets, and there is no way it could afford the standards set out in these documents. The Dfe seriously need a road map of ICT investment if they wish to see this through:

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges

[StevieM]

Below makes for interesting reading, government setting the standard, I have oversight of a number of primary school budgets, and there is no way it could afford the standards set out in these documents. The Dfe seriously need a road map of ICT investment if they wish to see this through:

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges

Genuine quote from our headteacher when I asked him to sign off the order for our DfE CtC:

 

I've never signed off an order this big in my life!

 

Even though we were getting the money back, it took him a while* to pluck up the courage to actually do it.

 

 

*However long you're thinking a 'while' is - it was MUCH longer than that.

[djm968]

I do agree to a certain extent that it's all well and good publishing these standards and the DfE need to seriously put some "money where their mouth is", but I've also worked with some Schools where the budget hasn't actually been the issue. Poor management and leadership who are not prepared to listen to sound advice regarding investment required into the infrastructure from professionals (some of whom are actually employed by them!), is just as frustrating as these "Standards" that the DFE has produced.

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

Genuine quote from our headteacher when I asked him to sign off the order for our DfE CtC:

 

 

 

Even though we were getting the money back, it took him a while* to pluck up the courage to actually do it.

 

 

*However long you're thinking a 'while' is - it was MUCH longer than that.

 

Go on how much? What kit are you going for? What's your plan for long-term affordability?

[StevieM]

Go on how much?

 

Let's just say at the higher end of 5 digits.

 

 

What kit are you going for?

 

We got all new Meraki kit, CAT6 cabling and upgraded cabinets.

 

 

What's your plan for long-term affordability?

 

That's above my pay-grade. And, as I said earlier, we're covered for the next 10 years and I very much doubt it will be any of my concern by that time*.

 

 

 

*Not only because I'm unlikely to still be here, but also because 'here'** will most probably have been absorbed into a MAT by then.

 

**For context, 'here' is currently an LA KS2 school.

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

Let's just say at the higher end of 5 digits.

 

 

 

 

We got all new Meraki kit, CAT6 cabling and upgraded cabinets.

 

 

 

 

That's above my pay-grade. And, as I said earlier, we're covered for the next 10 years and I very much doubt it will be any of my concern by that time*.

 

 

 

*Not only because I'm unlikely to still be here, but also because 'here'** will most probably have been absorbed into a MAT by then.

 

**For context, 'here' is currently an LA KS2 school.

 

 

Wow...I think mine will come in at a similar cost..l think most schools will get it installed and panic in year 9!

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

With a 10 year Meraki license for the APs, if after 6-7 years new technologies have evolved you can replace the old AP with a new one and the license will transfer to the new one automatically if you remove the old one from the dashboard. with the switches you could just extend the licenses.

 

We couldn't afford to replace it all in one go either so something like this allows you to start replacing earlier or at least planning. Also, who's to say the DFE won't repeat the whole process in 10 years? The big companies on this scheme, Cisco, Cisco-Meraki, and Aruba will all be trying to make sure you stay with them and no doubt will have potential offers so you stay with them for another 10 years.

 

It is definitely hard to say no to the scheme due to the high enterprise replacement...the affordability of such equipment will mean that schools will need to ring-fence between 6-10K (primaries) a year to maintain this high-end equipment for replacement in 8 ish years time. I fear schools will just not do this given it's 10 years away..and not my problem I won't be here...realistically you could probably replace your entire infrastructure on 18month worth of cost with a lower grade kit. As the Dfe don't have a road plan taking the risk may be worth it..who knows?

[StevieM]

...realistically you could probably replace your entire infrastructure on 18month worth of cost with a lower grade kit.

Then we'll do that in 10-years time; There's no compulsion to replace like for like. Would we have had these network improvements done if we'd had to pay for it? Not a chance! But seeing as someone else is footing the bill, we might as well make the most of it.

 

Winning an all-expenses paid cruise around the world doesn't mean I can't go back camping in Wales next year!

 

 

For the record - I've never won a cruise around the world.

[colacao82]

We're planning on using Extreme Networks for this. A few of our other schools are already using Extreme anyway - transferable licensing between devices, so if we want to upgrade APs / switches within the license period it's simple. Plus unlike one of our schools that went Meraki, once the licenses expired the switches stopped working. Not a nice thing to discover on a Monday.

Generally been cheaper than Ruckus, Meraki and Aruba on pricing. Plus I can manage my other Dell, HP and Cisco switches from a single dashboard within their XIQ platform.

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

We're planning on using Extreme Networks for this. A few of our other schools are already using Extreme anyway - transferable licensing between devices, so if we want to upgrade APs / switches within the license period it's simple. Plus unlike one of our schools that went Meraki, once the licenses expired the switches stopped working. Not a nice thing to discover on a Monday.

Generally been cheaper than Ruckus, Meraki and Aruba on pricing. Plus I can manage my other Dell, HP and Cisco switches from a single dashboard within their XIQ platform.

 

Interesting I was going to ask what others what others were doing, I hate meraki licensing model. Is it this one: https://www.extremenetworks.com/products/

[atcoates]

You can make a case for using your own preferred Wi-Fi and switching but it needs to meet the DFE criteria....

 

Connect the Classroom

 

What DfE Fund Under the Programme: Scope of Works

 

The purpose of the funding is to ensure that the school has a high-quality wireless network, based on the latest standards, giving full coverage to the site and able to operate effectively because suitable switching is in place. DfE aim to ensure the school has a system that will have a very long working life and provide for high-density usage within the classroom.

 

Connect the Classroom includes:

 

· Equipment covered by, as a minimum, a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.

 

· WiFi 6 Certified Wireless Access Points (WAP) able to cover the campus. This can include external provision where one is already in place.

 

· Switching that:

 

o Provides a multi-gig connection to each WAP.

 

o Includes either core switch(es) set up to have redundancy, or stacked edge switches (which would be more appropriate for a smaller site). It is not a requirement of the DfE Output Specification (OS) that all ports on all switches be PoE and multi-gig. DfE will not approve projects with an all-PoE or all-multi-gig switch solution when lower cost units would meet the school requirement.

 

· Licenses to allow for a minimum of five years of operation for the switches and WAPs provided. Some manufacturers offer SKUs that give ten years of licensing for the cost of five years to projects in the CtC scheme (see SKUs and Pricing below).

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

Looks like Extreme networks fits the bill. So will be one on my list of comparisons. I also like the fact you can manage third-party hardware devices from a central dashboard.

[localzuk]

Sent in my NAFs 2 weeks ago, awaiting confirmation that all our schools will be covered. We appear to fit their criteria for needing replacement kit, and are in a priority area. We've got about 80 APs across 6 schools, connecting to 30+ switches. No Cat6A cabling anywhere. Most of our existing kit is out of warranty.

 

Suspect this won't be a cheap job for the DfE!

[localzuk]

I've banged on about this repeatedly over the years - If you're going to ask for something, then it's replacement needs budgeting in/planning properly

We're PFI so have this problem as most of our kit was replaced in one hit - Lovely, but it means it all ages at the same time.

That's unrealistic with public sector, due to the way governments change every 5 years. We can at most plan 5 years in advance, and even that is "pencilled in", as govt policy changes year to year. So, if funding is provided for something now, we should take it and figure out the replacement when that time comes.

 

Put it this way, I update my 5 year plan yearly...

[DrCheese]

That's unrealistic with public sector, due to the way governments change every 5 years. We can at most plan 5 years in advance, and even that is "pencilled in", as govt policy changes year to year. So, if funding is provided for something now, we should take it and figure out the replacement when that time comes.

 

Put it this way, I update my 5 year plan yearly...

 

haha as do I - Each year I do a list of urgent/high/medium/to be aware of things and about 1/4 of them get done due to funding being all over the place. Some years I get decent amounts (& I do absolutely ride suppliers to the bone to get the most out of it) others I get virtually nothing.

 

Governors have questioned this before but the business manager has always backed me up that it's impossible to do projections and actually be able to stick to them. I hate it.

[mullet_man]

Is the Ofsted rating definitely the deciding factor then? We are in one of the identified areas and although our last inspection was good this was a good few years ago now and our P8 schools is below average and probably a lot of our other figures are below national averages as you'd expect being in one of the identified areas.

[johnlevis]

Afternoon

 

I've had a few people ask if VeryPC are able to offer Connect the Classroom and it's a definite 'yes' from us :-)

 

For more information, visit the dedicated page on our website

DfE Connect the Classroom Programme (very-pc.co.uk)

 

.....or contact me

 

John

[DJ_MonkeyBoy]

Anyone gone down the Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points route with on-site management rather than cloud? I understand the licenses are perpetual. Is this correct?

[Disease]

We have just been accepted on Phase 5 starting next year, we are an Outstanding school but because we are in a PEIA area we get the funding.

We currently have Ruckus which is not up to the DfE standard so think I will look at HP/Aruba, Meraki and Cisco anyone else got any other options?

Edited November 23, 2022 by Disease

[Net-Ctrl]

Hi @Disease - just in case you weren't aware - Ruckus are also able to do compliant CtC bids. So if you've been happy with Ruckus that is another option.

[RedwayNetworks_Michael]

We have just been accepted on Phase 5 starting next year, we are an Outstanding school but because we are in a PEIA area we get the funding.

We currently have Ruckus which is not up to the DfE standard so think I will look at HP/Aruba, Meraki and Cisco anyone else got any other options?

 

Aruba and Meraki are the main 2 vendors which DfE are comfortable with.

 

I think you can mix vendors too for switching and wireless however these opportunities dont come along often from DfE and its a chance to have all the bells and whistles plus Meraki/Aruba offer 10yrs on licences so you have a 10yr solution.

It will more than likely be overkill for your needs but thats what DfE want so bonus to all schools that have been able to replace the network with this program.

[FreelanceX]

Hi All,

 

We are currently looking at a ton of our schools getting funding for this in the next few months. We are in a PIA where pretty much every school in the area will be covered.

 

I am specifically looking to see what switches people have already had approved by the DFE, so I know what level/cost we can request. We are looking at Aruba CX switches which can be managed in Central. The cost for the multi-gig models can easy breach £10k and just wanted to see if people have had that accepted/rejected, before I go too far with my current research.

 

Also wondering if people have gone redundant core or stacked edge with their switching and had that accepted. In regard to switching, the guidelines are very vague.

 

Based of rough costs, a large primary could easily break £100k.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Wave9_Lee]

Hi All,

 

We are currently looking at a ton of our schools getting funding for this in the next few months. We are in a PIA where pretty much every school in the area will be covered.

 

I am specifically looking to see what switches people have already had approved by the DFE, so I know what level/cost we can request. We are looking at Aruba CX switches which can be managed in Central. The cost for the multi-gig models can easy breach £10k and just wanted to see if people have had that accepted/rejected, before I go too far with my current research.

 

Also wondering if people have gone redundant core or stacked edge with their switching and had that accepted. In regard to switching, the guidelines are very vague.

 

Based of rough costs, a large primary could easily break £100k.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

It's sort of the other way around. Are you a supplier or customer? From a school perspective - find what the actual requirements are in terms of specification and wireless coverage, usually through engagement/survey with a provider, get a quote (or quotes) and submit it to the DFE for claim approval. The specification, whilst a bit overkill, is pretty clear and if the statement of works is to the standard and justified, there's no reason it won't be approved. We're working on a £150k secondary school at the moment, so the money is there.

[DrCheese]

Hi All,

 

We are currently looking at a ton of our schools getting funding for this in the next few months. We are in a PIA where pretty much every school in the area will be covered.

 

I am specifically looking to see what switches people have already had approved by the DFE, so I know what level/cost we can request. We are looking at Aruba CX switches which can be managed in Central. The cost for the multi-gig models can easy breach £10k and just wanted to see if people have had that accepted/rejected, before I go too far with my current research.

 

Also wondering if people have gone redundant core or stacked edge with their switching and had that accepted. In regard to switching, the guidelines are very vague.

 

Based of rough costs, a large primary could easily break £100k.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

So we're eligible for this now - The answer I had for this was that the priority is serving WiFi 6 access points with multigb. If you have switches that serve other equipment (eg phones/CCTV/desktops and so on) they don't care about those & likely won't fund replacement of those. So you may end up with seperate switch stacks in your edge *solely* for the wireless provision, unless you top up the funding yourself.

 

They will run 16 core OM4 fibre to your edge switches however.

 

I suspect in reality you might get away with a bit more than just the wireless provision, but that's their priority. Reading between the lines, it's clear they're setting schools up for 1:1 provision going forward.

Edited November 29, 2022 by DrCheese