Scottish Schools Domain Names FAQ

The School Names on the Net project aims to allocate a unique Domain Name to each of the 3 000 schools in Scotland early in 2001.

Every Scottish school will be allocated with 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 are experiencing with the previous system.

It is anticipated that in two years time all schools will be using the .sch.uk Domain Names allocated by the project.

School Names on the Net is managed by Becta on behalf of the DfEE acting in conjunction with the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED). The project forms a key element of the Government's programme to deliver the National Grid for Learning in Scotland.

Nominet UK is the official UK Internet names organisation that manages the Register Database for all Domain Names ending in .uk. Becta and SEED have commissioned Nominet UK to carry out the practical implementation of the programme.

This project is a one-off opportunity for all schools to register a Domain Name free of charge before January 2001. The project implementation is being carried out between October 2000 and December 2000. After this period, it is anticipated that the Register Database will be completed; a fee may be levied for any further Registrations made under .sch.uk after this time. It is anticipated that all school Domain Names will be brought into line by 2002.

Once you have read the School Names on the Net information that has been sent to your school, you should complete and return the Reply Form that is attached to the back of the letter. Returning the Reply Form will complete the Registration of your Domain Name (but it will not connect your school to 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.

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.

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.

If your school decides not to use the Internet, please still complete and return the Reply Form at the end of the letter. This is a one-off opportunity to register a Domain Name free of charge. Even if you do not wish to use it right away, your school may decide to use the Internet in years to come and if you have not already registered your Domain Name a Registration fee may be levied.

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.

A Domain Name allows your school to have it's own identity on the Internet and can enable you to communicate with other Internet users. It will give you the potential to display information on the World Wide Web, like a prospectus, and to send and receive personal or institutional email.

The project has allocated every school in Scotland a Domain Name corresponding to the standard format: <school name>.<geographical area>.sch.uk. This format gives all 3 000 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.

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 organsiations, .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.

If you wish to change the <school name> section of your Domain Name then you must write your preferred choice of name clearly in Section 1 of the Reply Form. The Schools Project Team will then confirm whether it fits within the naming structure and whether or not it is a suitable alternative.

You cannot change the last three sections of your Domain Name that correspond to the national naming scheme. If you wish to appeal against your Domain Name allocation please contact the Schools Support Team at Nominet by telephoning 01865 332211 or by emailing them at schoolnames@nominet.org.uk.

If you complete and return your Reply Card by 21 December 2000, your school Domain Name Registration will be made completely free of charge. (However, this will not connect you to the Internet, which your school will have to pay for separately).

Your Domain Name will become registered for your school once you have completed and returned the Reply Form that is at the end of the letter. You will then receive confirmation from the Schools Support Team that your Domain Name has become registered.

Should you miss the December 21st deadline, the Domain Name that has been allocated to your school will remain in the Register Database. However, should you wish to change the Domain Name that has been allocated to your school, you may be charged a Registration fee.

If your school has an existing Domain Name, you should still complete and return the Reply Form in order to register your new Domain Name. You should, however, include details of your existing registration and details of your ISP (if known) on the Reply Form. Similarly if you are already using the Domain Name that has been allocated under the project it is important that you let us know.

Your existing Domain Name may or may not correspond to the national naming scheme, and if it does not you are advised to transfer your Domain Name over to the one allocated by the School Names on the Net project. Your ISP will advise you on how to do this.

Yes, you can use your original Domain Name but all Schools are advised to switch over to the new Domain Names within a period of 2 years as after this point all 'pre-Project' registrations will be removed from the Register. 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.

Once you have registered your Domain Name, you will need to establish an Internet connection 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.

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 will also incur telephone charges whenever you connect to the Internet.

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.

BECTa have produced a leaflet called 'BECTa Guide to Choosing an ISP'. Indicate whether you would like to receive a copy on the School Names on the Net reply form.