What is the National Education Network (NEN)?

The NEN is a dedicated private network designed specifically to support creative teaching and learning.  It can be accessed anytime and anywhere. It enables pupils, teachers and parents to collaborate in a safe and secure environment.

What does it provide?

The NEN offers:

• Access to high quality content, resources and service
• A safe and secure online environment for schools and pupils, creating confidence through the evident integrity of the network
• The provision of technical support nationally and regionally
• Effective technical standards that create true interoperability across the network
• Collaboration and communication tools e.g. shared content, resources, templates

How is it delivered?

Between 2000 and 2001, 10 regional consortia were set up under the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) initiative. Their common aim is to realise the promise of broadband technology in education. The Regional Broadband Consortia (RBCs) are responsible for rolling out broadband to all schools in their regions.

During 2003, the networks they created were joined together by high-speed links via the JANET network (developed originally for the Higher Education sector), creating a single and secure private network, known as the National Education Network (NEN).

This network means that schools can enjoy a range of broadband services without individual pupils going onto the Internet. Many Internet resources are mirrored within the network, offering faster performance to users as well as greater security. Users can also access the wider Internet through the NEN s secure gateways, with access policies managed by the local RBC.

Getting in contact and finding out more

www.nen.gov.uk