Wavenet Education

DfE funding scheme for better connectivity

Can your school take advantage of the additional £25 million Department for Education (DfE) wireless funding? Here at Wavenet, we have already secured Connect the Classroom DfE funding for multiple schools and academies across England.

Schoolboys and girls laughing at digital tablet.

We’ve already secured DfE funding for multiple schools

The DfE has extended its Connect the Classroom funding for 2025-2026, aimed at improving internet speeds by upgrading WiFi access points and network switches. Schools currently receiving targeted intervention through the regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme will be eligible, providing that their current WiFi provision falls below the DfE’s WiFi connectivity standards. Today’s digital landscape requires a robust and scalable network infrastructure to deliver seamless digital teaching, learning and overall school operations.

We have already secured significant Connect the Classroom funding for other schools. Act now while the funding is still available.

If you have any further questions about the connectivity funding scheme, please contact us today on 0333 234 0011 or use the form opposite:

Register your school's interest in the DfE’s 2025 connectivity plans

What are the benefits to my school in upgrading to high-speed Wi-Fi network infrastructure?

Accessible and reliable network delivery: With hundreds of students and teachers attempting to access resources at the same time from multiple devices it’s essential that your school’s network is both reliable and accessible, with dependable bandwidth and fast network connectivity.
Prioritising efficiencies: By eliminating network issues like outages and planning maintenance which can disrupt learning, teachers can prepare and deliver lessons smoothly without disruption.
Enhanced learning environment: Allowing students access to digital sources of information including online resources and virtual classrooms, an effective network system helps to facilitate collaborative and personalised learning from any location.
Improved school operations: A reliable network infrastructure enables multi-location schools, such as MATs, to implement a straightforward and cost-effective IT management system that allows for centralised control, troubleshooting, and monitoring of networks.

School kids using digital tablet in school cafeter.

Customer stories

Empowering Minds would like to thank Wavenet for all their hard work in acquiring the DfE funding for Connect the Classroom for our 5 academies. We are grateful to them for overseeing the project and liaising with our central team and ensuring that we met all of the DfE deadlines.

Empowering Minds, Daniel Smeaton

At Exceed Learning Partnership we are absolutely delighted to have secured DfE Connect the Classroom Funding for all our schools across the trust. This award is significant and will have a huge impact on both pupils and colleagues. Working alongside our valued ICT provider, Wavenet, this funding will enable us to invest in our cabling and connectivity throughout the trust to provide an infrastructure that will facilitate outstanding teaching and learning for many years to come.

Exceed Learning Partnership, Andy Hibbitt

The Team at Wavenet have been instrumental in helping our Academies within The Rose Learning Trust achieve in total over £500k in DfE Funding for Connect the Classroom. From initially making us aware of the scheme to fully scoping a HP Aruba solution that can be deployed across the Trust. They have driven and coordinated our interaction with the DfE Team to ensure we have an enterprise Wi-Fi solution for all academies for the next 10 years.

The Rose Learning Trust, Deborah Temperton

Primary school kids working at their desks.

How We Can Help You Develop a Successful Proposal

Confirm you qualify – The parameters have yet to be released, but if you haven’t already been contacted by the DfE then you should receive an email or letter within a matter of weeks confirming that you qualify for the funding.
Arrange a FREE full site survey – contact us and we will arrange this for you.
Get a Proposal – We will build the proposal for you to ensure it meets the DfE’s strict funding criteria.
Apply – We can also submit your proposal to the DfE.
Funding approved – Once you have had the funding application approved contact us to arrange installation.
Installation – Our team of specialist engineers will upgrade your Network to Wi-Fi 6.

How can I check if my school is eligible for funding?

The DfE has not yet released the full eligibility criteria for the new connectivity scheme. However, in the previous wave of wireless network funding, schools across the country benefitted significantly thanks to close collaboration between the DfE and experienced education technology specialists like us.

Through that partnership, we helped secure significant funding to upgrade wireless networks nationwide, ensuring better learning environments for thousands of students.

At Wavenet Education, we continue to work closely with the DfE and are committed to helping schools access any available funding opportunities.

Group of children using laptop by school building.

What are the benefits to my school in upgrading to high speed Wi-Fi network infrastructure?

Put simply, better Wi-Fi connectivity creates a better learning environment for your school. Classroom learning today is more reliant on cloud based apps and digital learning technologies, which puts a greater strain on your wireless network resulting in network downtime and disrupted classroom learning time. Wi-Fi 6 is built to give you reliable and fast wireless coverage across your whole school.

Why should I partner with Wavenet to upgrade my wireless network to Wi-Fi 6?

We are the UK's leading network transformation partner and have already helped thousands of schools improve their internet speeds and network infrastructure to empower digital learning, improve administrative efficiency and streamline overall school operations. From fast Wi-Fi network solutions to physical cabling and data connections to network filtering and monitoring, we offer a wide range of services to help you implement the right network infrastructure for your school whilst adhering to the relevant DfE digital standards.

Schoolgirl using digital tablet in classroom.

30+ years' experience

Our teams have been delivering 'designed-for-schools' technology for over 30 years.

4,000 schools nationwide

We have already implemented 100s of networks to over 4,000 school environments.

DfE compliant solution

Tailored services that support compliance with DfE Network Switching, Cabling & Network digital and technology standards.

Full project management

As an IBSL Approved Partner, we offer complete ICT solutions for your school.

Happy kids at primary school using laptops.

How long will the installation take, and will it be disruptive to the school?

We have a team of accredited DBS (Disclosure and Baring Service) checked engineers who have implemented 100s of networks into school environments with minimum disruption on budget and on time.