Advanced Network Infrastructure
Robust network infrastructure forms the backbone of your school's digital strategy. SchoolCare designs and installs enterprise-grade wired and wireless networks for UK schools, ensuring reliable connectivity that supports today's demands and scales for the future.
Network Solutions
SchoolCare designs, installs, and maintains enterprise-grade network infrastructure for schools across the UK. Whether you are building a new school, extending an existing campus, or upgrading ageing infrastructure, our in-house engineering team delivers end-to-end solutions tailored to the unique demands of educational environments. Additionally, we work with leading vendors including Cisco, HPE Aruba, Ubiquiti, Ruckus, and Cambium to specify the right equipment for your school’s requirements and budget.
Copper Cabling
Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a structured cabling provides the physical backbone of your school’s network. Our engineers design cable routes that minimise disruption to the building fabric, install to BS EN 50174 standards, and fully test and certify every link. Furthermore, we recommend Cat6 as a minimum for new installations, with Cat6a for high-density areas such as server rooms and ICT suites where 10 Gigabit Ethernet may be required.
Fibre Optics
Single-mode and multi-mode fibre optic cabling delivers high-speed, interference-free connectivity across your campus. Fibre is essential for backbone links between buildings, connecting comms rooms, and supporting bandwidth-intensive applications such as cloud computing, video streaming, and digital signage. Specifically, our team handles fusion splicing, termination, and OTDR testing to guarantee performance. Notably, the DfE increasingly specifies fibre for new school builds and major refurbishments.
Wireless Solutions
Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points deliver seamless wireless coverage across classrooms, halls, and outdoor areas. SchoolCare conducts professional wireless site surveys using Hamina to identify optimal access point placement, minimise interference, and ensure sufficient capacity for high-density environments where hundreds of devices connect at the same time. Importantly, our wireless designs comply with DfE BB103 broadband connectivity guidelines for schools.
In-House Design, Installation & Maintenance
SchoolCare manages the entire network infrastructure lifecycle using our own directly employed engineering team. Furthermore, we do not subcontract installation work, which means consistent quality, full accountability, and engineers who are DBS-checked and experienced in working within occupied school buildings during term time and holidays. From initial site survey through to ongoing maintenance, every stage is handled by SchoolCare.
Network Design
Every project begins with a thorough site survey and network design. Specifically, our engineers assess your school’s building layout, user density, application requirements, and growth plans to produce a detailed network design document. This includes cable route planning, comms room layouts, switch and access point placement, IP addressing schemes, and VLAN segmentation. For new builds, we work alongside architects and M&E consultants from RIBA Stage 2 onwards to ensure engineers design network infrastructure into the building from the outset.
Professional Installation
Our installation team handles all physical infrastructure work including containment, cable pulling, termination, patching, and equipment mounting. We install structured cabling to BS EN 50174 standards, with all copper links Fluke-tested and fibre links OTDR-certified. Additionally, we carefully schedule installations in occupied schools to minimise disruption, carrying out the majority of disruptive work during school holidays and half terms wherever possible. All work is compliant with Part P electrical regulations and relevant health and safety standards.
Configuration & Commissioning
Once physical infrastructure is in place, our network engineers configure all switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless controllers. Specifically, this includes VLAN configuration, QoS policies, firewall rules, content filtering integration, and wireless SSID configuration. We commission the network end-to-end, testing every connection and verifying performance against design specifications before handover. Finally, we provide full documentation including as-built drawings, configuration records, and test certificates.
Ongoing Maintenance
SchoolCare provides proactive maintenance contracts that keep your network running reliably. Specifically, this includes firmware updates, security patching, performance monitoring, and regular health checks. Our ProFlex support agreements provide guaranteed response times for faults, with remote diagnostics resolving the majority of issues without the need for an on-site visit. Additionally, we identify hardware that reaches end-of-life and plan replacement into your school’s budget cycle.
New Build Projects
For new school builds and major extensions, SchoolCare provides turnkey network infrastructure from design through to commissioning. Furthermore, we collaborate with main contractors, architects, and the DfE’s technical team to deliver network infrastructure that meets Output Specification requirements, BB103 connectivity standards, and Cyber Essentials compliance from day one. Our experience with UK school construction programmes means we understand the procurement timelines, coordination requirements, and handover processes involved.
Retrofit & Upgrades
Upgrading network infrastructure in existing school buildings requires careful planning to work around listed building constraints, asbestos management plans, and the day-to-day demands of a working school. SchoolCare’s engineers are experienced in retrofitting modern network infrastructure into buildings of all ages — from Victorian primaries to 1960s concrete-framed secondaries. We use surface-mounted containment, wireless bridge links, and creative cable routing to deliver modern connectivity without compromising the building fabric.
Post-Installation Support
Network infrastructure requires ongoing attention to maintain performance, security, and reliability. SchoolCare’s support services ensure your network continues to meet your school’s needs as technology evolves and your estate grows.
Proactive Monitoring
Continuous monitoring detects and resolves issues before they impact your school. Specifically, our network operations centre monitors switch health, access point status, bandwidth usage, and security events in real time, enabling proactive action before users experience problems.
Technical Support
Our dedicated support team is available to address any network issues with guaranteed response times. Furthermore, expert troubleshooting minimises disruptions and our remote access tools allow the majority of faults to be diagnosed and resolved without waiting for an on-site visit.
Training & Documentation
Full handover training for your IT staff and detailed as-built documentation ensure your team can manage day-to-day operations confidently. Additionally, documentation includes network topology diagrams IP address schedules, equipment inventories, and configuration records — all maintained and updated as changes are made.
Build Your School’s Network Today
Contact SchoolCare to discuss your network infrastructure needs. We’ll design a solution that delivers reliable, future-proof connectivity for education.
Ready to Transform Your School’s ICT?
Contact us today for a no obligation quote. Our team of experts are ready to help.