For primary, secondary and special schools and trusts
Buy the right internet connection for your school
What the Department for Education’s standards expect, your filtering and monitoring duties, keeping lessons online when a line fails, and how to buy — in plain English, with the official sources.
Bandwidth estimator Provider checklist
Checked 25 October 2026 · independent: not a broker, not a supplier
Who it’s for
School business managers & bursars
Comparing quotes, renewing a contract or moving supplier.
Headteachers & governors
Checking the school meets the standards and its safeguarding duties.
Trust & school IT leads
Planning speeds, backup lines, filtering and the network across sites.
Running a college, sixth-form college or university? Go to Broadband for Education
Quick checklist
Full checklist- Know what you needList every site and building, your current lines and when each contract ends
- Standards & safeguardingIs the line full fibre — a leased line or FTTP?
- Resilience & supportA backup connection of a different type, with automatic failover
- Contract & priceNo data caps
- How you buyEngland: use a DfE-approved buying option through Get help buying for schools
Tick as you go (ticks stay in your own browser) and print it for your meeting with suppliers.
Key figures
All figuresThe guides
All guidesStandards & safeguarding
Buying & funding
Resilience & the network
Bandwidth estimator
How fast does your school’s line need to be?
See the minimum speed in the Department for Education’s broadband standard for your type of school, compare it with an estimate from your own users and devices, and see what the standard says about a backup line. We don’t save your figures.
Supplier directory
The directoryCompanies that say they supply schools with connectivity, filtering, monitoring, Wi-Fi and managed networks — filter by service, UK nation and who they serve. Listings are free and in A to Z order; 52 companies so far.
Old network kit to get rid of?
When you replace routers, switches and Wi-Fi access points, the old kit needs secure, legal disposal. Our sister site Green ITAD lists IT recycling companies and what to check. And for school ratings from official data, see ABC Edu.
Common questions
All questionsWhat broadband speed does a primary school need?
DfE’s broadband internet standard says primary schools should have at least 100 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, over full fibre. It’s a standard to work towards by 2030, not a legal requirement. You can compare it with your own estimate in our bandwidth estimator.
More: The broadband internet standard: speeds, fibre and a backup line
And a secondary school?
DfE says secondary and all-through schools (and further education colleges) should have capacity for 1 Gbps download and upload, over full fibre.
More: The broadband internet standard: speeds, fibre and a backup line
Do we need a second line?
DfE’s broadband standard includes a backup connection: more than one connection, of different types, with automatic failover — set up with a new connection or as soon as possible afterwards.
More: Backup broadband: keeping the school online when a line fails
How often must filtering and monitoring be reviewed?
KCSIE 2026 says at least once every academic year. The review is led by the senior leader responsible, with the designated safeguarding lead and IT support, and the checks are recorded.
More: Filtering and monitoring: your duties under KCSIE 2026
What does the copper switch-off mean for schools?
Openreach says traditional phone lines go digital on 31 January 2027. DfE asks schools to audit every copper line — including alarms, lift lines, door entry, card machines and backup broadband — and plan replacements with battery backup in mind. ATA ports on fibre routers aren’t suitable for alarms.