DoE unveils £45m investment to improve digital divide in schools
A consultation launched today (21 March) will gather views on a long-term ambition for all schools and colleges to meet six core digital standards by 2030, which cover the foundations of good tech
Schools across the country are being supported by the Department of Education to close the digital divide in classrooms with a £45m investment to improve connectivity and further plans to make digital standards a requirement for all schools.
The boost for schools will mean no learner is left behind in a modernised education system – as the government delivers on its Plan for Change to break the link between children’s background and their success.
In classrooms, effective use of technology is proven to boost pupil performance, improve outcomes for children with additional needs and help students develop digital skills needed for modern life. But some children are at risk of being left behind, with too many schools still lacking digital foundations, the Department of Education has said.
Research by the Education Endowment Foundation found effective use of tech can accelerate learning and we know that reliable, fast and secure internet in the classroom is essential before schools can consider fully incorporating technology into their lessons. But the 2023 Technology in Schools Survey found just 63% of schools reported having a fully functional Wi-Fi signal throughout the school.
A consultation launched today (21 March) will gather views on a long-term ambition for all schools and colleges to meet six core digital standards by 2030, which cover the foundations of good tech – ensuring essential technology infrastructure and connectivity, digital security and leadership.
To back schools to deliver this, the government is investing £45m to boost school infrastructure, including £25m to upgrade wireless networks this year – helping get classrooms online and boosting standards where it is most needed. It’s the latest phase of funding for the programme that has so far improved connectivity for more than 1.3 million pupils in 3,700 schools. That’s on top of £20m to complete delivery of fibre upgrades to 833 schools.
It follows the government’s wide-reaching Digital Inclusion Action Plan which will give the most digitally-excluded groups the confidence and skills to benefit from digitisation – a key driver of growth under the Plan for Change.
Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “We are modernising our education system with a digital revolution in classrooms – improving children’s life chances through higher standards of teaching and learning.
“I won’t tolerate a system where some children benefit from innovation whilst others are left disconnected, and I am determined to level the playing field. That means secure and accessible technology for every school and the right support for teachers and leaders to help us break the link between background and success as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”
The core standards outlined in the consultation are broadband internet, wireless networks, network switches, digital leadership and governance, filtering and monitoring, and cyber security.
These make up part of the eleven digital and technology standards, published by the Department from 2022, to support schools and colleges to use the right digital infrastructure and technology. But despite 72% of school IT leads being aware of the standards, only 16% reported meeting them.