Home Access
On 23 September 2008 the Prime Minister announced top line details of the Home Access programme, which will provide computers and connectivity to families so that children are able to enhance their learning at home.
The vision for home access, as set out by Jim Knight, the former Minister of State for Schools and Learners, is to ensure that all pupils in state maintained education in England have the opportunity to have access to computers and internet connectivity for education at home. This programme builds upon the work of Jim Knight and his Home Access Taskforce which consisted of representatives from across government and the public sector, the private sector, and the third sector. Becta has played a key role researching for and advising on the project and has been instrumental in implementing the initiative since the pilot launched in Suffolk and Oldham in February 2009.
“The local authority have been really supportive and really helpful...they’ve been stars in it...and they’re the ones who have driven it all through.”
Headteacher, Home Access Proof of Concepts, 2008
Despite the growing body of evidence for the educational, economic and wider benefits of home access to technology for learning, there is still much work needed to achieve the Government's vision of a Digital Britain. There are still a significant number of learners who lack access to a computer and internet at home. It has been shown that home access can enhance learner achievement, increase motivation and improve parental engagement, which in turn raises their children’s attainment. Recent evidence has also suggested that having home access to a computer could help learners achieve a two grade improvement in one subject at GCSE. Effectively, a pupil that would have got a D, could, through the effective home use of technology, now get a B at GCSE.
Pilot programme
Becta undertook a pilot of the programme in Oldham and Suffolk Local Authorities. Certain low income families were able to apply for a Home Access Grant to purchase a package consisting of a device, connectivity and support. Part of the pilot activity involved working with approved suppliers to provide these Home Access packages, which meet pre-defined requirements and are available for all to purchase.
The Home Access programme works with local authorities, schools, colleges and third sector organisations to ensure that families are provided with the support and guidance they need to realise the benefits of having access to technology at home. An important part of this provision is internet safety so all of the packages come with pre-set parental controls and are loaded with the award-winning e-safety guide, Know IT All for Parents.
Success of the pilot
The pilot showed that there is considerable interest amongst families to gain access at home to support their children’s learning. The pilot was a great success and over 12,000 grants were awarded to eligible families.
Schools and colleges have been key partners in delivering the programme, with the majority of applicants finding out about the programme from their children’s school. Schools in Oldham and Suffolk have worked with the Home Access programme to deliver parents events to promote the benefits of using technology for learning, as well as raise awareness of the programme.
On 11 March 2009 Jim Knight, the then Minister of State for Schools and Learners, visited Oldham to meet with parents who have already benefited from the scheme. He said:
“We will support these families to ensure that the educational and social benefits of 21st century technology are available to them. I am looking forward to seeing the results of the trials in these areas which will underpin our national rollout later in the year.”
Feedback from parents and children who have already benefited under the scheme has been positive. Jordan, 8 is impressed by his new laptop:
“I would give it 10 out of 10. I like doing maths games and learning about Ancient Egypt.”
Rebecca, a single mum from Oldham, is using her family’s new access to support her own development:
“I've also enlisted on to an online maths course so when my son goes to secondary school I'll be able to help him with his homework.”
National rollout
The national rollout of the Home Access programme was announcedby the Prime Minister in January 2010. Initially the programme will target learners in years 3 to 9 inclusive. The programme aims to benefit more than 270,000 households that currently lack access by March 2011. Local authorities can become involved in many different ways and more information will be made available later this year.
Further information
Find out about Home Access for Targeted Groups.
Read the DCSF press notice – Broadening horizons.
Read the press release about Jim Knight's visit to Oldham.
Download the independent Home Access Taskforce report.
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