Frequently Asked Questions.
Technology and IT Services for Schools
School IT Support
School IT Support - What makes Soltech IT different from a standard business IT provider?
Our team specialises in education — we understand Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE Digital & Technology Standards, school timetables, curriculum needs and MAT governance structures. We provide proactive support aligned to school hours, strategic planning to reduce budgets, and on-site visits tailored to educational environments.
Can you help us meet the DfE Digital & Technology Standards?
Yes. We support schools in developing digital strategy, leadership support, compliance with cybersecurity and data protection, infrastructure planning, cloud adoption, and ongoing maintenance to help meet DfE requirements.
What levels of support do you offer?
Managed IT support includes remote assistance, scheduled onsite visits, critical callouts, proactive monitoring, and governance support — with clear SLAs designed around school needs. Our Bursar and Business Manager service helps schools gain grant funding and reduce expenditure.
Do you work with single schools as well as Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs)?
Yes. We support standalone primary and secondary schools, as well as MATs, providing scalable IT support that aligns with governance, budgeting and centralised reporting requirements.
Can you help with IT planning and budgeting?
Absolutely. We work with school leaders to create multi-year IT roadmaps aligned with DfE guidance, helping schools plan upgrades, lifecycle replacements and cloud adoption managing budget constraints by reducing expenditure, taking advantage of availble grant funding and donations.
Do you provide on-site support during the school day?
Yes. Our support packages include scheduled on-site visits during school hours, ensuring issues are resolved with minimal disruption to teaching and learning.
Apple Solutions for Schools
Do you support Apple devices in schools?
Yes — including iPad, Mac management, Apple MDM, Apple VPP and deployment support. We help assess device suitability, ensure secure management, and support curriculum-specific content distribution. We work closely with The University of OXford to provide third line Apple support.
How do you manage app distribution and updates for Apple devices?
We can setup and manage Volume Purchase Programme (VPP), enroll your school in Apple services, and use MDM for streamlined app deployment, updates and security controls across students and staff.
Are Apple devices suitable for classroom learning?
Apple devices are widely used in education and can support creativity, accessibility and curriculum delivery when properly managed and secured in line with DfE standards.
Can you help us decide between iPads and laptops?
Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.Yes. We help schools assess curriculum needs, age groups, budget and infrastructure to recommend the most appropriate device strategy.
Do you support shared iPads for classrooms?
Yes. We configure shared device setups using Apple MDM to ensure student data protection, controlled access and efficient classroom use.Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
Google Solutions for Schools
Can you support Google technologies like Workspace and Chromebooks?
Yes. We assist with Google Workspace deployment, Chromebook fleet management, Google Classroom support, user access setup, cloud integration, and training for teachers and admin teams.
Is Google Workspace compliant with DfE requirements?
When configured correctly, Google Workspace can support DfE expectations for security, access control, data protection and collaboration.
Can you migrate us from Microsoft to Google (or vice versa)?
Yes. We support full migrations, including emails, files and user accounts, with minimal disruption to staff and students.
Do you provide training for Google Classroom?
Yes. We offer setup support and guidance to help staff use Google Classroom effectively for lesson delivery and assignment management.
Cloud Services in Education
Should our school use cloud services?
The DfE encourages cloud adoption where secure and practical. Soltech IT can help audit your systems, plan migrations, ensure data protection and manage cloud backups so your staff and students can access learning resources securely from anywhere.
What cloud services do you support?
Microsoft 365, cloud storage, cloud backups, hosted desktop solutions and secure cloud-based infrastructure that meets DfE data protection expectations.
Is cloud storage secure for school data?
Yes, when implemented correctly. We ensure cloud services use encryption, access controls and backups in line with DfE and GDPR requirements.
Can cloud services support remote learning?
Absolutely. Cloud platforms allow staff and students to securely access learning resources from school or home, supporting blended and remote learning models.
Audio Visual (AV) and Touchscreens for Schools
Do you install classroom AV tech?
Yes — including interactive displays, touchscreens, projectors, audio systems, conference room solutions and mounting designed for classroom learning and staff training. Soltech IT is one of a handful of Platinum Promethean Partners throughout the UK.
Can you help us integrate AV into lessons?
Absolutely — we support setup, training and integration with lesson delivery tools like Google Classroom, Teams and other curriculum software.
Can AV equipment be used across different year groups?
Yes. We specify AV solutions suitable for EYFS through to secondary classrooms, assemblies and staff training spaces..
Do you provide installation outside of term time?
Yes. We aim to minimise disruption by carrying out installations during holidays or quieter periods.
Can AV systems integrate with existing devices?
Yes. We ensure compatibility with laptops, tablets, Chromebooks and classroom software platforms.
If I place a large touchscreen order can Soltech IT store the touchscreens until they are installed at our MAT schools?
Yes. We provide FREE storage of bulk orders of touchscreens. We understand that MATs and schools want best pricing and this means buying in bulk. We also understand that large quatities of touchscreens won't all be installed at all once and will likely need to fit around school holidays. It's not unusual for us to store 60 to 100 screens for several months whilst installaltions take place.
School Cyber Security
How do you help schools manage cyber risks?
We complete risk assessments, implement firewalls, multi-factor authentication, encryption and monitoring — and ensure policies align with DfE standards and data protection legislation.
Do you support training and ongoing security reviews?
Yes — ongoing cyber security monitoring, termly risk reviews, staff briefings and support for compliance audits can be provided.
How do you help schools prevent cyber attacks?
We implement layered security including firewalls, endpoint protection, MFA, filtering and proactive monitoring aligned with DfE cyber guidance.
Can you help with cyber incident response?
Yes. We support schools with incident management, recovery planning and reporting following cyber security events..
Do you help schools meet GDPR obligations?
Yes. Our solutions support secure data handling, access controls and audit trails required under GDPR and DfE guidance.
Filtered Broadband for Schools
Do you provide DfE-compliant broadband with filtering?
Yes. We deliver fully managed broadband with education-grade filtering and monitoring that meets DfE safeguarding standards, ensuring reliable, high-performance connectivity for modern classrooms..
What speed or resilience should schools aim for?
The DfE expects full-fibre broadband with resilient connections (e.g., secondary link / failover) to support cloud services, online safety systems and digital learning tools.
What happens if our internet connection goes down?
We can provide resilient broadband solutions, including secondary connections or failover options, to maintain continuity of learning.
Is filtered broadband mandatory for schools?
Yes. The DfE requires appropriate filtering and monitoring to safeguard students online — all our education broadband solutions meet these standards.
Can broadband cope with multiple devices in classrooms?
Yes. We design broadband and networks to support high-density device usage common in modern classrooms.
VOIP Telephony for Schools
Can Soltech IT provide VoIP phone solutions?
Yes — we install and manage VoIP telephony systems that integrate with school networks, providing reliable communications across reception, admin and classrooms.
Is VoIP suitable for schools?
Yes. VoIP provides flexible, cost-effective telephony that supports safeguarding, call reporting and multi-site communication.
Can VoIP work during a power cut?
With the correct setup, including backup power and connectivity, VoIP systems can remain operational during outages.
Can VoIP integrate with safeguarding or emergency systems?
Yes. Systems can be configured for emergency calling, call logging and integration with reception workflows. Our VOIP solutions can also used for school lockdowns and can compliment other solutions we provide for lockdowns.
School Visitor Management
What is included in your visitor management solution?
A secure system for sign-in, safeguarding compliance, GDPR reporting, instant visitor logs, fire register, contractors, staff, pupils areas. Ask us about our FREE visitor system for schools.
Does visitor management help with safeguarding inspections?
Yes. Digital visitor logs provide clear audit trails that support safeguarding compliance and Ofsted inspections.
Can the system manage contractors and staff sign-ins?
Yes. The system can be configured for visitors, contractors, volunteers and staff attendance tracking. Plus many more options.
Is visitor data stored securely?
Yes. Data is stored securely in line with GDPR requirements and DfE expectations.
AI CCTV for Schools
Do you install CCTV?
Yes — we provide CCTV solutions, including UniFi CCTV with smart insights to support site security, safeguarding and incident recording. Use built in AI to search for persons of interest via facial or vehicle registration plate recognition.
Is CCTV allowed in schools?
Yes, when installed and managed responsibly, CCTV supports site security and safeguarding while complying with data protection laws.
Can CCTV footage be accessed remotely?
Yes. Secure remote access can be configured for authorised staff only.
Do you maintain and support CCTV systems?
Yes. We provide ongoing support, monitoring and system maintenance.
Servers for Schools
Should our school have on-site servers?
It depends on your infrastructure strategy. We can design a hybrid or cloud-first environment — servers are specified to be secure, resilient and aligned to DfE storage standards if used.
Do you support backups and disaster recovery?
Yes — cloud backup options and disaster recovery planning are available as part of our services.
Are on-site servers still required in schools?
Not always. Many schools benefit from cloud or hybrid models — we help assess the best approach based on curriculum and data needs.
How do you secure school servers?
We implement firewalls, access controls, patching and monitoring aligned with DfE cyber security standards.
Can you replace ageing server infrastructure?
Yes. We design and install modern server solutions or migrate services to the cloud where appropriate.
WiFi in Schools
Can you help with WiFi upgrades?
Yes — Soltech IT specialises in DfE Connect the Classroom support, helping schools access funding and install future-ready Wi-Fi and CAT6A network cabling that ensures full site coverage and performance. Ask us about our FREE WiFi heat map survey.
What is Connect the Classroom?
This is a DfE-funded programme to support eligible schools with upgrading wireless connectivity and infrastructure — we assist from eligibility checks through to survey, proposal and installation.
What WiFi standard should schools be using?
The DfE recommends modern WiFi 6 or above standards capable of supporting high-density usage — we design networks accordingly.
Can WiFi cover outdoor learning areas?
Yes. We can extend secure WiFi to playgrounds, sports halls and temporary classrooms.
How do you test WiFi performance?
We carry out site surveys, heat mapping and post-installation testing to ensure reliable coverage.
CAT6, CAT6A and Fibre Optic Cabling in Schools
Why is good cabling important?
Proper Cat 6A and fibre cabling underpins Wi-Fi, broadband, IP telephony, CCTV and all networked technologies — it’s a DfE recommendation for future-proof performance and reliability.
Do you provide structured cabling installs?
Yes — we deliver full structured cabling to support current and future technology requirements.
Do you install fibre optic cabling?
Yes. We provide and install a number of cabling solutions including fibre optic cabling solutions.
What cabling standard do you install?
We install Cat 6 / Cat 6A and fibre cabling to meet DfE recommendations for future-proof networks.
Do you provide certification for cabling installs?
Yes. All structured cabling installations are tested and certified.
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