DfE Digital Standards Audit Service
Expert-led audits to assess compliance with the Department for Education Digital and Technology Standards, reduce risk, and plan confidently for 2030.
Led by education IT specialists with 25+ years’ experience
Audit led by a former headteacher acting as a compliance officer
Designed specifically around DfE Digital & Technology Standards
Suitable for Ofsted, governors, and MAT reporting
DfE Digital and Technology Standards – Overview
The Department for Education (DfE) Digital and Technology Standards provide a national framework to help schools and colleges build secure, reliable, and future-ready digital environments. The guidance was last updated in November 2025 and sets out expectations that all schools should work towards meeting by 2030.
At the centre of the framework are six core standards that focus on the most critical areas of school technology:
These core standards are supported by a wider framework covering 11 technology categories, including cloud solutions, servers and storage, network cabling, digital accessibility, identity management, and end-user devices. Together, they define the minimum expectations for safe, resilient, and effective use of technology in education.
Schools are encouraged to review their current provision against these standards, identify gaps, and put in place a clear plan for improvement. While the guidance sets the direction, many schools find it difficult to accurately assess compliance without structured, independent support.
Understanding the DfE standards is the first step, but knowing how your school compares to these standards, and what to prioritise next, is where a Digital Standards Audit becomes essential.
Why a Digital Standards Audit Is Essential
Meeting the Department for Education (DfE) Digital and Technology Standards requires more than good intentions or individual system checks. Schools need a clear, evidence-based understanding of how their current provision compares to national expectations, where risks exist, and what actions should be prioritised.
A Digital Standards Audit provides that clarity by independently assessing both technical systems and strategic leadership arrangements against statutory and recommended guidance.
Ensure compliance with statutory and recommended guidance
The DfE standards set clear expectations across safeguarding, cyber security, connectivity, and operational resilience. Schools are expected to regularly review their digital provision to ensure ongoing compliance. An audit helps confirm what is already meeting requirements and highlights where action is needed to remain compliant.
Ensure compliance with statutory and recommended guidance
The DfE standards set clear expectations across safeguarding, cyber security, connectivity, and operational resilience. Schools are expected to regularly review their digital provision to ensure ongoing compliance. An audit helps confirm what is already meeting requirements and highlights where action is needed to remain compliant.
Strengthen digital leadership and long-term planning
A structured audit supports headteachers, senior leaders, and governors by providing a clear, objective view of current capability and future requirements. This enables informed procurement decisions, better prioritisation of spend, and avoids reactive or short-term IT investment.
Support digital transformation and accessibility
DfE guidance places increasing emphasis on cloud readiness, digital accessibility, and modern infrastructure. A Digital Standards Audit helps schools plan for inclusive, future-proof learning environments that support all users and align with long-term digital transformation goals through to 2030.
Our Digital Standards Audit Service
Haz Technology’s Digital Standards Audit Service is designed specifically to assess how closely your school aligns with the Department for Education (DfE) Digital and Technology Standards. The service combines strategic leadership engagement with a detailed technical review, providing a clear and objective view of current compliance and future priorities.
Our audits are led by experienced education specialists, including a former headteacher acting as a compliance officer on behalf of your school. This ensures the process is grounded in both technical expertise and a practical understanding of school leadership, safeguarding responsibilities, and statutory expectations.
Delivered as part of an annual subscription, the service assesses compliance across all core and extended DfE standards, including connectivity, network infrastructure, cyber security, filtering and monitoring, cloud systems, accessibility, and digital leadership and governance.
Schools receive a clear, evidence-based report outlining compliance status by standard, identified risks, and prioritised recommendations. The report also includes a strategic roadmap aligned with DfE expectations through to 2030, making it suitable for senior leadership teams, governors, and Ofsted inspection preparation.
The service is supported by leadership briefings, optional implementation support, and ongoing review meetings to track progress, respond to updates in national guidance, and support informed, long-term digital planning.
How the Digital Standards Audit Works
Our Digital Standards Audit Service follows a clear, structured process designed to minimise disruption while providing meaningful, evidence-based outcomes for school leaders.
1. Leadership Consultation and Preparation
We begin with a face-to-face consultation with senior leaders and safeguarding leads to understand your school’s digital strategy, priorities, and any known concerns. Relevant IT documentation and policies are reviewed in advance to ensure the audit is aligned with your context and objectives.
2. Full Technical Assessment
Working alongside key school staff and technical teams, we assess your current provision against all core and extended Department for Education (DfE) Digital and Technology Standards. This includes connectivity, infrastructure, cyber security, filtering and monitoring, cloud systems, accessibility, and digital governance.
3. Gap Analysis and Compliance Reporting
Findings are collated into a clear, structured report showing compliance status by standard, identified risks, and prioritised recommendations. This provides schools with a practical, evidence-based view of what is required and where to focus next.
3. Gap Analysis and Compliance Reporting
Findings are collated into a clear, structured report showing compliance status by standard, identified risks, and prioritised recommendations. This provides schools with a practical, evidence-based view of what is required and where to focus next.
4. Leadership Briefing and Strategic Planning
We present the findings in person to senior leaders, supporting informed decision-making, future IT budgeting, and strategic planning. The approach reflects national guidance and is suitable for governors and Ofsted reporting.
5. Ongoing Review and Support
As part of the annual subscription, we provide ongoing review meetings to track progress, respond to updates in guidance, and ensure improvements remain aligned with DfE expectations through to 2030.
Benefits to Your School
Our Digital Standards Audit Service gives schools clarity, confidence, and a structured path towards meeting the Department for Education (DfE) Digital and Technology Standards.
Who This Service Is For?
This service is ideal for:
- Primary and secondary schools
- Academies and multi-academy trusts (MATs)
- Schools preparing for Ofsted inspection
- Schools reviewing safeguarding, filtering, or cyber security arrangements
- Schools planning technology investment or digital transformation
- Schools seeking evidence-based assurance for governors and trustees
