Similar to how the LGfL is formed, the NEN Education Network is formed by Regional Broadband Consortia (RBCs such as the LGfL), the univerisities networks (e.g. JANET) and the National Learning Network for Further Education all working together.

The NEN is at the heart of the government’s ambitions to transform education. It promises to spread best practice, to help schools share limited resources and to promote the development of online teaching materials crafted explicitly to support all aspects of the national curriculum.

The NEN ensures that all schools, colleges and universities are connected through a single backbone enabling a high quality e-learning experience in a safe and secure networked environment. 

The flowchart showing the NEN makeup

The NEN Education Network consists of networks for schools via the RBCs (e.g. LGfL), networks for universities (e.g. JANET) and the National Learning Network for FE.

By linking the Regional Networks to the Regional Broadband Consortia the beginnings of a true national network for education are being realised.

The NEN is becoming a teaching and learning resource providing schools with a secure network designed and maintained by experts within the educational community. A dedicated education network, it harnesses the power of broadband technology to deliver unique content and services, enabling users to share learning experiences at every level, to deliver a personalised learning experience in the classroom.

Optimised for data intensive applications (incl. Video conferencing) the NEN offers a number of unique advantages for schools within a safe and secure environment where issues such as copyright are managed and where teachers, pupils and parents can work confidently together.

Core benefits:

  • Improved learning performance
  • Better procurement and economies of scale
  • Closer collaboration with colleagues
  • Improved standards of teaching and learning
  • Trusted reliable source of content
  • Improved home/school access
  • Saftey
  • Security
  • Administrative Efficiency
  • Local flexibility