One of the most exiting aspects of BETT this year has been the launch of the Home Access programme by Minister of State Vernon Coaker.

The Minister's full speech is available here, but in essence he talked about the national roll out of the Home Access Programme as helping those students "where deprivation and low attainment are entrenched through generations to realise their potential."

The programme

The Home Access Programme will provide families with children aged 7-14 with a grant to buy a computer with, through an approved supplier. It is anticipated that 270,000 families will benefit by March of 2011.

The Home Access to Targeted Groups programme has been running for a while now offering equipment to those with specific needs such as health issues, family issues or those with English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Where do schools fit in?

Although the scheme can be run entirely independently of schools, we feel that it is vital that schools get involved in order to firmly cement these computers as 'learning devices' in the eyes of the parents.

Schools should also be placed to help parents complete the application form and run parental events to help with training and demonstrating how the devices can be used with the various online systems that schools have.

During the next few months we will be following the developments at St. Nicholas Priory Junior School in Great Yarmouth as they work through the national rollout programme, and also supplement it with devices of their own.