Smoothwall Filter for Schools
Enterprise-grade web filtering and firewall protection for schools — including Smoothwall Filter, Cloud Filter, and Firewall.
Smoothwall — Trusted by One in Three UK Schools
SchoolCare partners with Smoothwall to offer schools enterprise-grade web filtering and firewall solutions, available both on-premises and in the cloud. Because Smoothwall is purpose-built for education, it provides real-time content filtering, full threat protection, and detailed safeguarding reports — all fully compliant with DfE standards and KCSIE guidelines.
Whether you need an on-premises appliance, cloud-based filtering for remote learners, or a full next-generation firewall, SchoolCare can help you find the right Smoothwall product for your school.
Smoothwall Filter for Schools
Smoothwall Filter is the only 100% real-time web filter. Rather than relying on published blocklists, it analyses web content, context, and structure at the point of each request. As a result, even brand-new threats are caught straight away.
Real-Time Content Analysis
Smoothwall assesses every web request in real time — not against a static list, but by checking the actual content of the page. This means threats that traditional filters miss are blocked before they reach the student.
Flexible Policy Control
You can define who sees what, where, and when. For example, you can create rules by user, group, device, location, and time of day — so every student gets age-appropriate access to the web.
Full Reporting Suite
Smoothwall reports on 100% of traffic for complete safeguarding visibility. In addition, you can create tailored reports for pastoral care, SLT, governors, and inspectors.
Smoothwall Filter Key Features
- KCSIE & DfE compliant — accredited by the UK Safer Internet Centre
- HTTPS inspection — Full visibility into encrypted traffic
- Bypass prevention — Detects and blocks VPN and proxy bypass attempts
- Bandwidth management — Intelligent shaping so learning is never slowed down
- Multi-platform — Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, and iOS support
- Guest Wi-Fi filtering — Automatic protection for BYOD and visitor devices
Smoothwall Cloud Filter for Schools
Because filtering rules follow the device rather than the network, Smoothwall Cloud Filter protects students wherever they are — at school, at home, or anywhere in between. Your safeguarding stays consistent at all times.
On & Off Network
Smoothwall protects students whether they are on the school network or using their device at home. A small, lightweight agent runs in the background, so filtering rules travel with the device automatically.
Central Policy Management
You can manage all filtering rules from a single cloud dashboard. Furthermore, you can push policy changes to every connected device straight away — with no on-site hardware needed.
Ideal for 1:1 Programmes
Cloud Filter is the ideal choice for schools with device loan schemes or 1:1 Chromebook and laptop programmes. Because students regularly take devices home, consistent off-network protection is essential.
Smoothwall Firewall for Schools
The Smoothwall Firewall is a purpose-built network firewall for education. It brings together anti-malware protection, threat detection and blocking, HTTPS inspection, and proxy blocking in a single on-premises appliance — so schools get strong, reliable security without juggling multiple systems.
Unified Threat Management
The Smoothwall Firewall combines a network firewall, threat detection and blocking, anti-malware, and application control in one appliance. As a result, both complexity and cost are reduced compared to running separate systems.
HTTPS Inspection
Smoothwall keeps encrypted traffic safe with full SSL/TLS inspection. This means threats that hide inside HTTPS connections — and bypass most traditional firewalls — are caught and blocked.
Proxy & VPN Blocking
VPN tunnels, anonymous proxies, and other bypass methods are all blocked automatically. Therefore, students stay within your safeguarding boundaries even if they try to work around the filter.
Deployment with Broadband4 DIA
Smoothwall products are designed to work alongside a Broadband4 Direct Internet Access connection. The appliance sits between your Broadband4 circuit and your school network, providing inline filtering and firewall protection for all traffic.
In addition, for schools with device loan or 1:1 programmes, Cloud Filter extends this protection beyond the school gate — so safeguarding policies apply wherever students use their devices.
For schools with device loan or 1:1 programmes, Cloud Filter extends this protection beyond the school gate — ensuring consistent safeguarding policies wherever students use their devices.
Which Smoothwall Product is Right for You?
To help you choose, the table below compares all three Smoothwall products side by side. If you are not sure which option suits your school, our team is happy to advise.
| Feature | Filter | Cloud Filter | Firewall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time content filtering | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| On-premises appliance | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Off-network protection | — | ✓ | — |
| Intrusion detection/prevention | — | — | ✓ |
| Anti-malware | — | — | ✓ |
| HTTPS inspection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safeguarding reports | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| KCSIE / DfE compliant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | On-site filtering | 1:1 / remote | Network security |
Ready to Transform Your School’s ICT?
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