Guide
School broadband contracts: what to check before renewal
Begin before notice is due so there is time to understand the current service, test the future need, compare like with like and migrate safely.
01
Build the current-state record
Record supplier, service type, capacity, use, contract end, notice deadline, support, filtering, firewall, backup, equipment and incidents.
02
Write the future requirement
Map cloud use, devices, sites, safeguarding, failover and growth. The DfE standard supports full fibre and suitable resilience, but implementation must fit the setting.
03
Normalise each quote
Compare term, installation, migration, equipment, management, support, resilience, security, filtering and exit. Reject unpriced material assumptions.
Questions
Questions this page should answer
Is the highest speed always best?
No. Capacity, resilience, management, safeguarding and whole-contract value matter.
Does a backup line guarantee resilience?
No. Diversity, failover, routing, power and procedures must be tested.
Accountability
Sources and evidence
- Broadband internet: core standardDepartment for Education. Expectations for connection type, capacity, resilience, security and safeguarding.
- Filtering and monitoring: core standardDepartment for Education. Governance, review and technical expectations for filtering and monitoring.
- Cyber security: core standardDepartment for Education. Cyber-governance and resilience expectations for schools and colleges.