MEWAN Interactive

Taken from the BECTA website - click here for link

What is it?

A £90 million, two year DCSF (Department for Children Schools and Families) programme aimed at helping some of the most disadvantaged secondary children improve their education and life skills by putting a computer into the home. Local authorities identified as having eligible schools and pupils in their area have been given funding to buy equipment, as well as help and advice covering all aspects of the scheme.

Giving children access to computers at home has been shown to help their education — children that do not have access can be disadvantaged. Putting computers into the home can motivate pupils to learn, help develop key ICT and life skills and give them the same opportunities and experiences as their peers. But it's not just the pupil who benefits. The whole family, school and wider community can benefit through increased involvement of parents in their child's education and better communication between the school and home.

Eligibility has been based on a formula to determine some of the most disadvantaged Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 children throughout the country. The final decision about which schools will be receiving the funding rests with each individual local authority in conjunction with its schools, based on the guidance provided. Schools which are considered eligible will be contacted by their local authority. For more information about eligibility, visit the Teachernet site.

A total of £90 million has been made available for this initiative over the two years 2006–08. This is split into £75m capital and £15m revenue, with £25 million capital and £5 million revenue provided  in 2006-07 and the remainder in 2007-08.

In March 2005 the Chancellor announced £50 million (£25 million per annum in 2006–07 and 2007–08) to put ICT into the homes of the most disadvantaged pupils. A further £10 million (£5 million per annum in 2006–07 and 2007–08) of revenue funding was announced in the March 2006 budget specifically to ensure that pupils targeted by this initiative have safe internet access.

In January 2008 a further £30 million (£25 million capital and £5 million revenue) was announced, to build on the Computers for Pupils initiative, and described as 'Access to Technology at Home'.