Schools across Yorkshire are being urged to access free Government tech funding before the current scheme closes in February.
A total of £150 million is available through the Department for Education’s (DfE) ‘Connect the Classroom’ scheme. The funding aims to help schools pay for upgrading old networks and investing in new superfast Wi-Fi 6 environments. This move seeks to boost access to improved eLearning and digital resources for thousands of students and teachers.
However, the current funding window (wave 4) closes on 28 February and could see thousands of schools potentially miss out on much needed funds, warns national technology specialist Advantex.
The company says this could have a ‘significant’ impact on schools in Yorkshire who have until the end of next month to apply and submit a first invoice. This will keep the fund open, enabling them to complete any approved work in the following months.
The ‘Connect the Classroom’ programme covers 55 Education Investment Areas across the country, which includes parts of the country such as North Yorkshire coast and Doncaster that are seen as Priority Education Investment Areas. These regional ‘cold spots’ have been identified by the Government as part of their levelling up agenda.
The fund will cover the replacement of wireless access points and edge switches as well as licensing of products for the first 5 years plus installation, configuration and handover.
Rolled out in waves, the fully funded programme is delivering millions of pounds of funding to upgrade school networks and provide enhanced access to eLearning resources, rapid connectivity and greater online reliability.
The news comes in the wake of a recent warning by the chancellor, who wants to see schools redouble their efforts to find savings, with some areas of spending seeing cuts. Analysts have also suggested inflation and soaring energy bills mean schools face a £2 billion funding shortfall by 2024.
Advantex, which is delivering ‘Connect the Classroom’ to schools across the region, advises education leaders facing strong financial pressures and cutbacks to act to ensure they don’t miss out on the funding boost.
Stephen O’Connell, sales and marketing director, said: “The funding is a lifeline to schools given the current climate, as it covers the entire project. So, schools don’t need to worry about whether or not they can afford to do it. This investment in powerful new networks and infrastructure will go one to help schools deliver not only greater resources but also offer some of the best possible learning environments for teachers, pupils and support staff.
“We understand the DfE’s technology for education requirements and are delighted to be a chosen provider for schools across the region as they seek to future proof their learning platforms .”
Advantex is experienced in developing DfE compliant systems and undertaking detailed audits of schools to assess requirements, having helped many schools secure the DfE Connect the Classroom funding. Working with leading technology providers, infrastructure is designed by a Meraki Cisco certified engineers to ensure the school benefits from an accredited installation, personalised project management and after-care package. More at www.advantex.uk.com
