Laptops, Desktops and Tablets Standards

Devices must be secure, reliable and importantly fit for purpose throughout a school or college,  supporting the curriculum, school administration and the schools digital strategy.

Schools and colleges must ensure that devices used by teachers,  staff and pupils are safe and secure, capable and aligned with their wider digital strategy. Laptops, desktops and tablets should effectively support curriculum delivery, administrative processes and flexible access to digital systems throughout, while remaining secure, reliable and cost-effective.

Poor device selection can result in lost learning time, increased technical issues and much higher long-term costs.

Schools should regularly assess whether their current devices meet both educational and operational requirements. This includes compatibility with cloud platforms, curriculum software and safeguarding systems. Understanding who uses each device, how and where it is used, and whether it supports accessibility features and secure network access is essential.

Devices should meet or exceed the DfE’s minimum standards, including enterprise-grade operating systems, regular security patching and modern wireless connectivity.

All devices should be centrally managed to ensure consistent application of updates, filtering, monitoring and access controls.

Where mobile or remote use is required, device management solutions should support remote locking, data wiping and safeguarding. Devices must be recorded in an up-to-date asset register, and procurement decisions going forward, should be informed and based on an understanding of security, compliance and user needs.

Energy efficiency and sustainability should also be considered. Devices should be configured to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and disposed of in line with WEEE regulations and data protection requirements. Secure data sanitisation must be carried out when equipment is retired, with appropriate records maintained.

Reviewing device usage can often identify opportunities to repurpose equipment, helping schools and colleges to control costs and meet sustainability objectives.

Server and Storage Standards

Schools and colleges must have secure, efficient infrastructure that supports continuity and compliance

Servers and storage systems are a critical part of a school’s digital environment, particularly when data is hosted on-site rather than in the cloud. The Department for Education (DfE) expects schools and colleges to maintain infrastructure that is secure, resilient and energy-efficient, with clear processes to manage risk, downtime and data protection obligations.

To minimise operational disruption, servers should be configured for fault tolerance, using features such as mirrored disks, dual power supplies and automatic failover. Backup systems—whether on-site or cloud-based—must be implemented and tested regularly to ensure data can be restored quickly if needed.

Security is paramount. Servers must be managed in line with data protection legislation and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) best practice guidance, including access controls, data encryption, secure update management, and alignment with the school’s broader safeguarding and cyber security policies.



The physical environment is equally important. Servers should be housed in secure, well-ventilated spaces, protected from fire, water and other hazards, with adequate power and cooling to meet equipment requirements. Where possible, cloud-based solutions should be considered to reduce environmental impact and limit reliance on local infrastructure.