e-Learning Foundation Confirmed Key Partner In Home Access Programme

Affiliated schools able to aggregate under new government programme

13 January 2010: Becta has confirmed that the e-Learning Foundation, a national charity dedicated to erasing the digital divide in the UK, will play a key role in the government’s  £300 million Home Access programme which is now set to go live.

Most schools wishing to aggregate to the Home Access programme will have to be affiliated to the e-Learning Foundation. The exceptions are Academies and schools falling with Durham, Hull and Shropshire Local Authorities as well as schools who fall under a local e-Learning Foundation (Birmingham, Essex, Lambeth and Berkshire).

The Foundation will support the work of the Home Access Grant Administration Service (HAGAS) where schools are looking to offer an aggregation option to families. HAGAS will manage the applications from schools and families and ensure that Home Access packages are delivered to eligible recipients.

“We are delighted to be playing an active role in the government’s Home Access programme and believe our experience will be invaluable in the field” commented Valerie Thompson, chief executive of the e-Learning Foundation. “This is a huge step towards ensuring that all children in the country have access to a computer and the internet at home for their studies, giving them an equal change to tap into a digital age and enhance their learning potential in a world where technology surrounds us”.

Schools looking to take the Home Access programme to a higher level and aggregate to families will need to fill a number of key criteria.

Be approved with and registered by Capita

Be affiliated to the e-Learning Foundation.

Communicate accurately and effectively with families on aggregation

Ensure that all legal requirements are followed, including parental right to exercise choice.

Negotiate with the approved suppliers and fairly allocate any benefits

Consider how Home Access fits in with the school’s ongoing strategy which could include existing or new e-Learning Foundation programmes or the use of individual support grants.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the Home Access programme in September 2008. It has been highlighted in the Digital Britain report as a positive step in bringing computers and connectivity to the 35 per cent of families that currently have no access to the internet at home.

To find out more about the Home Access programme please visit www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess or email customerservices@becta.org.uk 

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