Reliable Internet is Essential for Schools
In today's digital age, reliable internet is essential for schools. Students need access to online resources to thrive academically, and teachers need to be able to use technology to deliver engaging lessons.
The Department for Education (DfE) in England has set minimum requirements for internet speeds in schools. Primary schools should have a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 30 Mbps. Secondary schools, all-through schools, and further education colleges should have a connection capable of delivering download and upload speeds of 1 Gbps.
In addition to a reliable internet connection, it is important to have a backup plan in case of an outage. This can be achieved by setting up an automatic failover system. An automatic failover system is a type of network redundancy that automatically switches to a backup internet connection if the primary connection experiences an outage, this could be a connection from a different ISP or as a managed solution from that same ISP then ensures diverse routing via different telephone exchanges
There are many benefits to having reliable internet in schools. Research has shown that students with access to high-speed internet in the classroom tend to achieve better academic outcomes. Additionally, high-speed internet fosters greater engagement, making learning more interactive and motivating, ultimately leading to improved retention. It also enables effective collaboration among students, enhancing their problem-solving and communication skills. Moreover, high-speed internet facilitates personalised learning, allowing teachers to tailor lessons to individual students and improve overall learning outcomes.
If you are a school business leader in the UK seeking to upgrade your internet connection, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- To meet the minimum bandwidth requirements laid out by the Government bodies, Fibre to the Premises / Ethernet services are an essential solution.
- Ensure network security by implementing firewalls and antivirus software. This will help to protect your school's network from potential threats.
- Provide training to your staff on effective internet usage. This will help to ensure that students are using the internet safely and effectively.
- By following these recommendations, you can ensure that your school benefits from a reliable internet connection that adequately supports the needs of both students and teachers.
DB Comms will be presenting at ‘Invest In You’ a networking event and event for School Business Managers and Finance Directors at Hylands House, Chelmsford, on 21st June, 2023 please see here to register as delegate
