The six digital standards for schools

The government has recently set out six digital standards that all schools must meet by 2030, aiming to eliminate disparities in technology access and ensure every pupil can benefit from modern, connected classrooms

The government has recently unveiled a set of six digital standards that every school and college will be expected to meet by 2030. This initiative is designed to end the postcode lottery of digital provision, ensuring that access to modern technology is no longer determined by geography or funding.

Too many children are still learning in classrooms without the digital tools required for today’s education and tomorrow’s careers. Outdated infrastructure and unreliable connectivity have prevented teachers from delivering engaging, modern lessons, and have left students ill-equipped for an increasingly digital world. The government’s new standards aim to change that, by setting clear expectations around digital infrastructure, online safety, and leadership.
These standards cover broadband internet access, wireless networks, and network switches – all essential for ensuring that schools can support a reliable digital learning environment. But the plan goes beyond technology itself. Schools are also expected to demonstrate strong digital leadership and governance, with senior leaders taking responsibility for technology strategy and implementation.

Crucially, online safety is central to the framework. With the increasing use of digital tools in the classroom, schools must also implement robust cyber security systems, along with filtering and monitoring solutions to protect pupils from harmful online content and threats.

Tools to help with planning 

To support schools on this journey, the Department for Education is expanding its Plan Technology for Your School service. This free tool is designed to help schools assess their current digital setup, understand their unique needs, and develop cost-effective, future-focused strategies. By offering tailored recommendations and expert guidance, the service allows school leaders to make informed decisions that align with national standards and best practices.

Lara le Court de Billot, senior policy advisor in the Department’s School Technology Services team, explains that the service was created in collaboration with school leaders and technical experts. It supports schools in creating strong digital strategies that not only improve teaching and learning but also reduce staff workload, improve efficiency, and help schools get better value from suppliers. She said: “The ‘Plan Technology for your School’ service supports schools in creating and developing lasting digital strategies that align with best practices and meet the Department for Education’s digital and technology standards.”

Funding for digital Infrastructure

The government has backed this policy with a £45 million investment this year to improve school infrastructure, particularly in areas where it is needed most. This funding will go towards upgrading broadband and wireless networks, bringing classrooms online, and helping to ensure a consistent standard of digital provision across the country. It builds on the success of the Connect the Classroom programme, which has already improved digital access for more than 1.3 million pupils across 3,700 schools.

Further education colleges are also part of the plan. Jisc – the UK’s national education and research network provider – will continue to support colleges with expert advice and access to the high-speed Janet network.

Minister for Early Education, Stephen Morgan, emphasised the importance of this investment. “Every child deserves access to the digital tools that will prepare them for the modern world, regardless of which school they attend. For too long, we’ve seen a postcode lottery where some pupils thrive with cutting-edge technology whilst others are held back by outdated equipment.”

He added that this initiative is a key part of the government’s wider Plan for Change, which aims to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed, with no pupil left behind in the digital age.

The six core standards

The first standard focuses on broadband internet, requiring schools to have a full fibre connection to their broadband service at the speed needed for effective online learning tools. 

Primary schools should have a minimum of 100Mbps download speed and a minimum of 30Mbps upload speed. Secondary schools, all-through schools and further education colleges should have a connection with the capacity to deliver 1Gbps download and upload speed.
Building on that, the second standard addresses wireless networks. As schools and colleges will have a high number of users accessing the network at the same time, a high-performance solution will make sure that the speed and management of data transferred around the wireless network is resilient, efficient and secure.

Schools should use a wireless solution that uses, at a minimum, the Wi-Fi 6E standard, and it’s important to make sure there is strong signal coverage in all areas of your school or college where mobile devices are to be used.

To support this connectivity, the third standard requires schools to install and maintain high-performing network switches. These are the backbone of any school’s digital infrastructure, managing data flow between devices and keeping the system running smoothly even under heavy use.

Beyond the technical infrastructure, the fourth standard focuses on digital leadership and governance. Schools must have clear strategies in place for how technology is integrated, maintained and used for learning. This includes leadership teams who understand the role of digital tools in education and can oversee their effective and responsible implementation.

Safety is also a major priority. The fifth standard mandates the use of filtering and monitoring systems to help protect pupils online. These tools are designed to block access to harmful content and enable schools to monitor internet use, ensuring that students can explore the digital world in a safe, age-appropriate environment.

Finally, the sixth standard highlights the importance of cyber security. As schools become more connected, they must also protect themselves from growing digital threats. This means putting robust systems in place to guard against cyberattacks, data breaches, and other risks, safeguarding both staff and pupil information.

Together, these six standards form a comprehensive framework for digital readiness, giving schools the foundation they need to deliver high-quality, safe and future-proof education.

As the 2030 deadline approaches, the challenge now lies in ensuring that all schools - urban or rural, large or small - are equipped to meet the standards.