The Project
What is School Names on The Net?
The School names on the Net project allocated a unique domain name to each of the 26000 schools in England.
Every English school was allocated a unique .sch.uk domain name using a systematic structure. This will help Internet users to communicate more easily with your school and overcome the difficulties that some users were experiencing with the original system.
It is anticipated that by 2003 all schools will be using their .sch.uk domain name.
Who was behind the Project?
The initiative was supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), formally the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and was managed on their behalf by the British Educational Communications and Technology agency (BECTa) and Nominet UK. It formed a key element of the government's programme to implement the National Grid for Learning.
What is Nominet UK?
Nominet UK is the official UK Internet names organisation that manages the Register Database for all domain names ending in .uk. Nominet manages the School names on the Net .sch.uk register of domains on behalf of the DCSF.
The Internet
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a network of inter-linked computers that makes it possible to exchange information between computers throughout the world. The Internet originated in America in the early 1980s, and UK Academic establishments developed their own network connections soon afterwards. Commercial use of the Internet took off in the early 1990s and has now become an everyday method of communication.
Why should schools use the Internet?
The Internet could be described as the world's largest encyclopaedia, and is a powerful resource for learning. A computer connected to the Internet provides access to a vast amount of educational and learning materials and will complement existing teaching aids.
Is it safe for children to use?
Both teachers and parents should exercise caution in allowing children access to the Internet. However, the potential risk from offensive materials should not deter teachers from letting their pupils have access to the technology. The educational benefits of learning through the Internet outweigh the dangers that it may present. A copy of the joint BECTa and DCSF publication on Internet safety entitled 'Superhighway Safety' can be ordered from the BECTa enquiry desk (ph. 02476 416994) or can be downloaded as a .pdf document from the
website.
Domain Names
What is a domain name?
Computers on the Internet are similar to telephones in that each user needs a unique number to be able to dial-up and communicate with one another. Because computer numbers are rather long and random, they are mapped onto corresponding names that are more memorable. These are called domain names.
Why does our School need one?
A domain name allows your school to have its own identity on the Internet and can enable you to communicate with other Internet users. It will give you the potential to display information (like a prospectus) on the World Wide Web and to send and receive personal or institutional email.
Can we use another .sch.uk domain name?
The project has allocated every school in England a domain name corresponding to the standard format: <school name>.<geographical area>.sch.uk. This format gives all 26000 schools a domain name that is both easily identifiable and unique. If domain names were allocated in a random way, eventually the system would break down. However, if you wish to change your current .sch.uk domain name for another that complies with the structure for .sch.uk registrations, your school can do so by confirming the required change in writing to Nominet UK. You may be charged a registration fee for this service. You should be aware that .sch.uk domain names are restricted to one per school and that your older domain name would need to be removed from the register.
How is the standard format constructed?
The
.sch.uk ending is the designated Second Level domain that immediately denotes that the domain name is registered to a school. Just as
.co.uk denotes companies,
.org.uk not-for-profit organisations,
.gov.uk government bodies and so on.
The <geographical area> used in School domain names identifies which area the school is in. The most common abbreviation for the area name is normally used. A list of all school geographical areas can be found here.
The <school name> part corresponds to a full or an abbreviated version of your school name.
What happens if we don't like the name allocated by the project?
If you wish to change the
<school name> section of your domain name then you must confirm your request in writing to Nominet. The Schools Support Team will then confirm whether it is available or not and will register it as appropriate.
Maintained schools cannot change the last three sections of their domain name as these parts of the domain must correspond to the national naming scheme.
How much does it cost to register a domain name?
Nominet do not currently charge schools for .sch.uk domain name registrations.
How do we check that our .sch.uk domain name is registered ?
You can check that your domain name is registered by using the domain name search tool on the homepage of our website at
http://www.nominet.org.uk.
Are .sch.uk domain names renewable?
No, .sch.uk domain names do not come up for renewal and as such do not expire unless a particular school closes or changes its name etc, or the domain name allocation system is changed.
Who can register a .sch.uk domain name?
Any school inspected by the DCSF and allocated a DCSF number, teaching the standard curriculum and with permanent staff and pupils may register a .sch.uk domain name.
Schools with existing domain names
What should we do if we registered a .sch.uk domain name before November 1999 when the School names on the Net project started?
If your school has an existing .sch.uk domain name, other than that allocated by the project, we will contact you to confirm which .sch.uk domain name you actually wish to use. We will issue notice on any .sch.uk domains that you no longer require and by 2003, every school will have one .sch.uk domain name registered to them.
How do we transfer our Internet and email services to the new domain name?
You are advised to transfer your Internet and email services over to the domain name allocated by the School names on the Net project. Your ISP or LEA ICT Adviser will advise you on how to do this.
Can we continue to use our original domain name if it does not end .sch.uk?
Yes, you can use your original domain name but all Schools are advised to switch over to the new .sch.uk domain names. This is because the new names make it far easier for all Internet users to locate the details of the school that they are looking for.
Using your domain name
How do we start using our domain name?
Once you have registered your domain name, you will need to establish an Internet connection, if you have not already, in order to use that name on the World Wide Web. The easiest way to establish an Internet connection is to talk to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). They can supply you with a connection to the Internet that means you are ready to start using your domain name. To activate your school's
.sch.uk domain name or inform us of your ISP (if the domain name is not already allocated to an ISP), the school (or LEA where the school is state-maintained) will need to confirm to Nominet which ISP you intend to use as a host for the domain name. We will need to know your ISP's Tag, which identifies their account within Nominet.
What is a Tag?
Most UK ISPs have registered with Nominet in order to have access to our automated registration and domain name maintenance system. Their account with us is allocated a unique ID that we refer to as their Tag. We publish a
list of ISP Tags can be found or alternatively your ISP will be able to confirm which Tag they wish you to use.
How much does Internet connectivity cost?
The charges levied by ISPs for connecting your school to the Internet may vary significantly. Many ISPs will charge fees dependent on the services you require, such as web site design, Internet connectivity, e-mail forwarding etc; and probably an annual service fee in addition. The best way to ensure that you are getting a good deal is to shop around.
Don't forget that on top of the start-up costs for establishing your Internet connection, you are also likely to incur telephone (or connection) charges whenever you connect to the Internet.
What equipment will we need?
The hardware that you will need to establish a presence on the Internet includes a computer and a modem that is connected to a telephone line. Although other specialised equipment can be used, this is basically all you need to get started.
Where can we find help?
BECTa have produced a guide to ICT Practice, Planning and Procurement for the National Grid for Learning called 'Connecting Schools, Networking People 2002' which can be requested from the BECTa Helpdesk (02476 416994) or can be downloaded in PDF format from the BECTa website at
http://www.becta.org.uk/publications/connecting.html. Alternatively, you can contact your LEA ICT Adviser or ISP for further information and advice.
How to contact Nominet UK
Please be aware that all correspondence sent to Nominet UK should use our Sandford Gate address (below) and not the FREEPOST address that was used for replies during the initial months of the project. Please be aware that the FREEPOST address has been deactivated and any correspondence sent to this address will not be delivered to Nominet UK.
Contact Details
| Nominet | BECTa |
Minerva House
| Milburn Hill Road |
| Edmund Halley Road | Science Park |
| Oxford Science Park | COVENTRY |
OXFORD
| CV4 7JJ |
| OX4 4DQ |
| phone: 01865 332244 | phone: 02476 416994 |
| fax: 01865 332288 | fax: 02476 411418 |
| email: schoolnames@nominet.org.uk | email: enquiry_desk@becta.org.uk |