DfE Digital & Technology Standards
Understand the standards and how we help your school meet them
The DfE Digital & Technology Standards are a set of guidelines published by the Department for Education to help schools make good decisions about their IT infrastructure. They cover everything from broadband and cyber security to device management and leadership — essentially, the building blocks of a safe, effective technology environment.
The standards were introduced because too many schools were being left behind — running on outdated networks, lacking basic cyber protections, or paying over the odds for technology that didn't serve them well. The DfE wanted to create a clear, practical framework that any school could follow.
All state-funded schools in England are expected to work towards meeting these standards — they're not optional. Independent schools aren't formally required to follow them, but many choose to do so as best practice. Wherever your school sits, the standards provide a sensible benchmark for your IT provision.
What Your School Needs to Meet
Each DfE standard maps directly to services we deliver for schools every day. Here is how they connect.
Filtering and monitoring
Appropriate web filtering and monitoring must be in place
Cyber security
Schools must protect against cyber threats and have recovery plans
Servers and cloud
Schools should use cloud services and manage servers effectively
Network switches
Network infrastructure must be maintained and fit for purpose
Leadership and governance
Schools need IT leadership and strategic planning
How We Help
We know that reading through a set of government standards isn't anyone's idea of a good time — especially when you're already stretched thin running a school. That's where we come in. We'll sit down with you, assess where your school currently stands against each of the DfE standards, and give you an honest picture of what's working and what needs attention.
"We'll create a practical roadmap — prioritised, costed, and realistic — so you can work towards full compliance at a pace that suits your budget and your school calendar."
From there, we'll create a practical roadmap — prioritised, costed, and realistic — so you can work towards full compliance at a pace that suits your budget and your school calendar. No jargon, no pressure, just clear next steps.
We offer a DfE standards review to any school that wants to understand where they stand. It's a no-obligation conversation, and you'll walk away with a clear understanding of your compliance position.
Seven standards. One partner.
Instead of juggling multiple vendors for each DfE requirement, work with a single team that understands schools and covers every standard under one roof.
Standards covered
Point of contact
Years experience
Want to know where your school stands?
Book a DfE standards review and we'll help you understand your compliance position.