Connect the Classroom scheme extra funding

[JazzFlute]

14 minutes ago, tmleafs said:

So you got the funding directly but had to use a company to purchase and install?

What brand of hardware did you go for?
Did you have Cable, fibre, and network cabinets replaced or added?

 

They design everything you need including cabinets if needed, fibre links etc. they mostly supply Meraki/Cisco kit including switches but can work with Cambium kit if you have it already and add to your existing setup.  depending on your current spec/setup you could be eligible for 1 switch or if nothing is up to current spec you could have the entire wireless network designed and installed including cabinets/switches/fibre links/cabling/access points. I'd apply asap and try and get a summer install if your eligible as so much easier doing all this in the holidays.

Edited April 28, 2025 by UpTheWolves

[localzuk]

10 minutes ago, tmleafs said:

So you got the funding directly but had to use a company to purchase and install?

What brand of hardware did you go for?
Did you have Cable, fibre, and network cabinets replaced or added?

The process is run by the company you choose for the install. So, they put together all the documents to send to the DfE, who approve/deny etc... And the company handles the install, along with any documentation handover. At my last place, we used Ergo for it, they handled it across all 6 of our sites, at a cost of something like £360k.

[msi_school]

On 24/03/2025 at 11:59, localzuk said:

Your site must be really large to need single mode fibre too, as 10GbE on OM4 can go 400m. 

I would always look at single mode first as it is more future proof there are cost conserns but I replaced the fibre backbone on a site in 2022 and there was no cost difference between OS2 or OM4 cable. The optics were more expensive but only by about £5 all be it from FS.com not OEM. 

[localzuk]

2 minutes ago, msi_school said:

I would always look at single mode first as it is more future proof there are cost conserns but I replaced the fibre backbone on a site in 2022 and there was no cost difference between OS2 or OM4 cable. The optics were more expensive but only by about £5 all be it from FS.com not OEM. 

You're not gonna get FS.com optics under Connect the Classroom.

[TwistedHelixis]

How do schools sign up for this? When I do a search it takes me different company websites and the DFE page about it doesn't seem to have a sign-up page

[msi_school]

16 minutes ago, localzuk said:

You're not gonna get FS.com optics under Connect the Classroom.

Fair enough

[localzuk]

6 minutes ago, TwistedHelixis said:

How do schools sign up for this? When I do a search it takes me different company websites and the DFE page about it doesn't seem to have a sign-up page

The DfE contacts your school if you're eligible in the funding round. You don't apply in the first instance.

[PotNoodleTech]

22 minutes ago, localzuk said:

You're not gonna get FS.com optics under Connect the Classroom.

£250 per SPF probably

[localzuk]

Just now, PotNoodleTech said:

£250 per SPF probably

If they were Aruba ones? More. Misco has their single mode module at over £1000... When I did CtC for my last place, the Aruba multimode SFP+ modules for 25GbE were £350+ IIRC.

[PotNoodleTech]

It's a joke.  But I guess it's on purpose as the more ££value each school spends,  the more envelopes full of £50s go to the Gov procurement people.

[sigma]

Smallish rural High gets nothing, ever.

[ITGuyNW]

So we have had the email from DFE saying we're eligible.

 

We had a wifi refresh in 2022 and its Cambium cloud based with Wifi 6E. We have also just been through a switch refresh with Aruba.

 

Does anyone know what the implications of this scheme will be for us? Do we have to proceed? Will they want to rip out any of our newer kit?

[Sylv3r]

1 minute ago, ITGuyNW said:

So we have had the email from DFE saying we're eligible.

 

We had a wifi refresh in 2022 and its Cambium cloud based with Wifi 6E. We have also just been through a switch refresh with Aruba.

 

Does anyone know what the implications of this scheme will be for us? Do we have to proceed? Will they want to rip out any of our newer kit?

 

If you are part of a trust, you could in theory proceed and offer your existing hardware to another school. If you are a standalone entity, as part of the initial audit of existing equipment the DfE may turn around and say as your kit is relatively new, you no longer qualify.

[TwistedHelixis]

I now of schools running really old network equipment, that would really benefit from this scheme. I do wonder how they are picking the schools.

[DrCheese]

7 minutes ago, TwistedHelixis said:

I now of schools running really old network equipment, that would really benefit from this scheme. I do wonder how they are picking the schools.

Last year it was based on if you are in a PEIA (Prority education improvement area) or just an EIA (Education improvement area)

 

If you are in a PEIA, then every school qualifies. If you are in an EIA, then only if you have failed you ofsted by X date the scheme starts/started in your area. If you fail ofsted after that date the you are out of luck (I am bitter about this...)

[5tu]

The CTC guidance has been updated today to say that only schools currently receiving targeted intervention through the regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme are eligible for CTC funding.  

[Sylv3r]

It's not based on the Ofsted rating for this round - I don't know any more information then that.

[ITGuyNW]

8 minutes ago, gybe78 said:

The CTC guidance has been updated today to say that only schools currently receiving targeted intervention through the regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme are eligible for CTC funding.  

Ah, we are on this list, this will explain it.

[DrCheese]

1 hour ago, Sylv3r said:

It's not based on the Ofsted rating for this round - I don't know any more information then that.

Ah that's better, although I note it's still not really based on any actual IT need. It's depressing, I know schools that have great ofsteds (or outcomes in this case) but have ancient networks. Likewise shiny new schools but bad ofsteds/low outcomes.

 

 

[synaesthesia]

Sore subject. We were cleared for CtC originally (based on poor current provision as well as low OFSTED rating) then rejected right at the last minute, not long after the final round of visits & quotes from project leads & suppliers to do it all based on a technicality - we'd just been taken over by an MAT and as a different school, the OFSTED rating was null and void.

(But it still mattered for everything else, absolute bloody liberties!)

[Iain.Faulkner]

19 hours ago, TwistedHelixis said:

I now of schools running really old network equipment, that would really benefit from this scheme. I do wonder how they are picking the schools.

Yeh we've got schools desperate for a refresh. One rural primary school, with only 60 students, and one secondary school desperate for a refresh. But because we're in "leafy" cheshire/derbyshire these schools are always overlooked.

[robslack]

We have had the email our switches are 13 years old and Wi-Fi is 6, so hopefully we will get them both refreshed 😃

Edited May 21, 2025 by robslack
spelling

[kennysarmy]

1 minute ago, robslack said:

We have had the email our switches are 13 years old and Wi-Fi is 6, so hopefully we will get them both refreshed 😃

 

We beat you on age of both of those metrics but because we are "outstanding" I'm guessing we will miss out

[PotNoodleTech]

55 minutes ago, kennysarmy said:

 

We beat you on age of both of those metrics but because we are "outstanding" I'm guessing we will miss out

You can't be outstanding if your running switches etc out of support as you won't pass a cybersecurity audit.....

Edited May 21, 2025 by PotNoodleTech

[kennysarmy]

7 minutes ago, PotNoodleTech said:

You can't be outstanding if your running switches etc out of support as you won't pass a cybersecurity audit.....

 

I think you'll find we can be

 

https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/page/?title=OFSTED&pid=13