Wi-Fi, switches and replacing old network kit

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At a glance

• Wireless: upgrade to at least Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) when your current wifi is underperforming or unsupported.
• Coverage everywhere mobile devices are used, “potentially up to one per classroom” access point, sized to how many people use each space.
• Switches: at least 1 Gbps to desktops, at least 2 × 10 Gbps from hub rooms to the core, and at least 5 years of warranty and support.
• Replace kit that no longer gets firmware and security updates — and dispose of it securely.

DfE’s broadband standard points out that internal cabling, switches, routers and wireless access points all affect the speed people actually get. Two more core standards — wireless network and network switching — cover the network inside the school. Both are targets to work towards by 2030.

The wireless network standard

When: “when upgrading an underperforming or unsupported solution”, and for security, after scheduled maintenance or a configuration review.

• Latest standard: upgrade to at least Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), which DfE describes as “the latest standard approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance”. Review the speed of the access points’ network connections — DfE says these are typically 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, and 5 or 10 Gbps. The network should support segregation, quality of service and all devices logging on and working at once.
• Coverage: a strong signal wherever mobile devices are used, and outside where needed. Install access points across the site, “potentially up to one per classroom”, with higher-specification units in busy areas such as halls. Size the number of access points to the planned occupancy of each space and use wireless heat mapping when planning. DfE gives no figure for devices per access point or Mbps per device.
• Central management: a central tool to configure access points, monitor performance and alert on failures, with automatic security updates plus manual checks.
• Security: authenticate mobile and guest devices individually. DfE lists measures such as VLANs and access control lists, segregated guest access, WPA3, wireless intrusion protection, certificate-based authentication and multi-factor authentication for privileged users.

The network switching standard

• at least 1 Gbps to desktop devices, with multi-gigabit ports for servers, media devices and wireless access points;
• 40 Gbps stacking links;
• hub-room switches linked to the core server room with at least 2 × 10 Gbps, on different routes where possible;
• at least 512 MB of memory and support for 16,000 MAC addresses at once;
• Power over Ethernet to the level each connected device needs, and energy-efficient Ethernet;
• warranty and support for at least 5 years, including firmware updates;
• core switches on at least one UPS; critical core switches with two power supplies, two management modules and two connections to other critical equipment.

Funding

If DfE contacts your school about Connect the Classroom, the money is for exactly this: wifi access points and network switches. See funding.

Replacing old network kit

DfE’s switching standard says to replace equipment that no longer gets firmware and security updates. When old routers, switches, firewalls and access points come out, plan how they will be disposed of. Get help buying for schools lists DfE-approved frameworks that include IT asset disposal: Procurement Services’ IT, hardware, ITAD and associated services (to 13 November 2029) and YPO’s Sustainable hardware, asset recycling and data destruction (to 28 May 2028).

Sources

Checked 25 October 2026. We wrote this guide from these sources, in our own words:

1. DfE: Wireless network core standard (gov.uk)
2. DfE: Network switching core standard (gov.uk)
3. DfE: Broadband internet core standard (gov.uk)
4. Get help buying for schools: IT category (get-help-buying-for-schools.education.gov.uk)
5. DfE: Connect the Classroom (gov.uk)

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