The Home Access programme

1. The Home Access programme

2. Home Access aims to provide practical and financial support to low-income families who may not be able to afford a computer or the Internet. We will support these families to ensure that the educational and social benefits of 21st century technology are available to them.” Diana Johnson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools Home Access

3. The Home Access Taskforce The Home Access Taskforce, comprised of representatives from government, education, industry and third sector, recommended: Home Access aims to provide practical and financial support to low-income families who may not be able to afford a computer or the Internet. We will support these families to ensure that the educational and social benefits of 21st century technology are available to them.” ‘National central solutions for administering and delivering funding and accreditation of technology suppliers who can provide safe, appropriate solutions’ Diana Johnson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools This led to a ministerial decision to adopt a consumer-based model rather than a centralised procurement.

4. A compelling reason for change Having a computer at home associates with a 2 grade improvement in one subject at GCSE. This means that a pupil who would have got a D, could, with the effective use of technology at home, now get a B at GCSE. Children who have access to a computer at home are more confident and capable users of technology and more independent learners overall. Source: Institute of Fiscal Studies (2009), Passey et al (2004), Somekh et al (2004) and NFER (2009)

5. A clear vision of the future • The Home Access programme will be successful when: • Reduction in the technology gap between varying income groups • Special needs learners have access to software or assistive technology appropriate to their needs • Improved learning amongst eligible learners • Increased awareness, interest and parental involvement in their child's learning • Number of parents using technology to learn for themselves has increased • Families’ economic status improves through • effectively using technology

6. The offer Home Access Grants for 270,000 low income families to cover the cost of:

7. Eligibility

8. How does it work?

9. Getting the grant Capita will provide the grant administration service • Designed to remove burden from schools and local authorities • Responsible for: • - driving demand • - issuing and evaluating applications • - delivering grants to families • - enquiry and helpdesk support

10. First wave of approved suppliers and their partners are: Acquiring the product • Bli Education • Centerprise (Phones4U, Apollo, Hughes, Brighthouse, Retra, Mutual, Kingston) • Comet • Misco • Positive IT Solutions (Cartridge World) • XMA (T-mobile)

11. Tried and tested: the pilot Measure Target by end Sept 09 To end Number of grants issued: 7,500 12,344 • Ran in Suffolk and Oldham from February 2009 - June 2009 • A great success with c.90% uptake of grants from eligible families • Tested purchasing logistics and eligibility criteria • Key lessons learnt which have been incorporated into national rollout

12. Views from the pilot “I think having a computer in the house is important because when it comes to stuff like homework that Kyle brings home obviously there’s going to be things that I don’t understand and with the internet I could always type it on the internet and then it will bring up loads of options up. Anthony, dad “Home Access is reducing the technological divide and allowing parents with children to access technology that they would not otherwise have done.” School, Oldham

13. Key findings from the pilot • Application and grant process was very effective, and was responded to positively by beneficiaries. • Households got access 2.4 years earlier than they would have otherwise. • Children spent an hour a week more for learning than a comparator group who had existing access. • 97% of parents surveyed believed that home access would help their children do better at school a great deal or a fair amount. • Overall, 65%of beneficiary parents agreed that their child is spending more time on homework since gaining access. • .

14. Assistive technology • There are three types of Assistive Technology provision: • Assistive Technology softwareis pre-loaded on all packages. • Assistive Technology package one for learners who have physical difficulty accessing a computer or the internet • Assistive Technology package two for learners with profound needs. This service will be available in spring 2010. Assistive technology

15. Looked After Children • Looked After Children in foster care will be catered for by the main Home Access programme. • A learner’s social worker will identify a need and make an application on the learner’s behalf. • Eligibility for Looked After Children spans years 1 to 13 inclusive. Looked After Children

16. Aggregation Local authorities or schools can choose to take an active role as an agent for Home Access and order packages on behalf of their families. Durham, Hull and Shropshire will be running local-authority wide schemes. Schools in other local authorities may wish to apply to run their own scheme, though they must be affiliated to the e-Learning Foundation. Academies can chose whether to run their own scheme or take part in the local authority scheme. Schools and academies can request an application pack by calling 0333 200 1005 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. The deadline for applications is 28 February. Aggregation

17. Working with schools

18. Supporting school priorities With more pupils having access to technology at home, schools have an opportunity to: • Embrace learning at home as part of a personalised, inclusive and engaging curriculum • Narrow the achievement gap between free school meals pupils and others • Make more effective use of the learning platform • Develop pupils digital literacy and e-safety skills • Extend the school to offer activities and support to families • Engage parents through online reporting

19. Get involved Schools, local authorities and other partners can help their families get online at home by: • Identifying families who currently don’t have home access and keeping this knowledge up to date • Making sure that those families who may be eligible for a Home Access Grant know where to get more information • Exploring ways to encourage other families to purchase a Home Access package • Sharing the benefits of getting on line with families, and supporting families to maximise the benefits of having home access

20. Want to support the programme? Get involved www.homeaccess.org.uk Realise the benefits: www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess Home Access Grant helpline: Tel: 0333 200 1004 Minicom: 0121 748 1471