Children Without Home Computers Face a Less Successful Future in Education and Work

LONDON, February 2 - Children who grow up without access to the internet or computers in the
home, are being left behind in their social and educational development and
could lose out in the job market.

Now BLi Education, (www.blieducation.com/) in partnership with
Government agency Becta*, is encouraging parents to take advantage of the
Home Access programme to provide grants for computers and internet access to
families that need them most.

Several studies over the past decade from bodies such as the Institute of
Fiscal Studies and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development,
have shown that children with access to the internet at home are more likely
to do better in subjects such as maths and may also get better exam results.

More recent evidence shows that with technology at home children could
achieve a 2 grade improvement in one GCSE subject, which means those pupils
who would have got a D, could now get a B at GCSE with home access to
technology[1].

And it's not just in the classroom where it matters as children who lack
computer access are more likely to leave school at 16 and possibly may not
reach their desired occupation or earning potential as a result[2].

Stuart Bailey, Headteacher at the Parkside Pupil Referral Unit, Suffolk,
caters for the needs of young people between the ages of 13-16 years on a
full-time basis, many of whom are eligible for a Home Access Grant.

He is one of a large number of education professionals who recognise the
importance of giving children access to the internet and computers at home in
order to help them with homework and boost achievement.

He says, "Anytime, anywhere access is so important to our students and
the Home Access scheme means that they all have the same access to
technology."

"The whole principle behind Home Access is about enabling youngsters to
learn in a different way and in a creative way.

"We need to be able to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity -
that's fundamental to the Home Access principle.

"Youngsters who've got internet access at home and use technology at home
are much more confident when they come to school.

"They're able to see the use for their coursework, for their learning and
general IT opportunities. Youngsters without internet access at home, without
the technology, tend to be less confident."

This means youngsters are being left behind from the start if they don't
get the same level of access to technology and the proper resources to
achieve their potential.

Russ Bridge, Deputy Leader, Kaskenmoor High School, Oldham, agreed that
the scheme has been a positive way to engage with parents.

"As a school leader I thought it was essential to promote the Home Access
pilot as much as possible. A positive way of doing this was through a variety
of parent events, such as 'consultation evenings', Y9 'option choices'
evenings as well as sending literature giving other community events, and of
course further contact details.

"Awareness-raising assemblies informed students of the opportunity that
Home Access could bring to them and their families. this should allow us to
engage with parents in a further medium to support students and indeed family
members."

According to the Office for National Statistics, better qualifications
can lead to better salaries. If a student gains five A* to C grade GCSEs they
can earn as much as 17 per cent more than workers with no qualifications - or
an extra GBP150,000 over a lifetime's work. If children have a computer at
home which they use for schoolwork they are more likely to gain over five
GCSEs and one A-Level, and improve grades attained.

BLi Education is one of six official suppliers chosen by the Government
to provide computers for free and their equipment will come with pre-loaded
software and internet access, which is aimed at low-income families.

Parents who don't have internet access at home can apply for a Home
Access Grant using the Home Access Grant Helpline 0333 200 1004. To qualify
their children need to be in school years 3 to 9 and go to a state-maintained
school in England. The grants are aimed at low-income families who receive
certain benefits or have an overall annual income of less than GBP16,040.

All approved suppliers have gone through a tough accreditation process.
As well as BLi Education, other suppliers are Centerprise, Comet, Misco,
Positive IT Solutions and XMA.

Education software specialists BLi Education is the only supplier that
will pre-load its own popular specialist educational games and software onto
the computers, which is currently used in schools all over the country. This
alone is worth GBP570! The software is not only popular with teachers but
will also be well known to pupils.

In addition, with every Home Access package from BLi Education there is a
GBP10 fundraising voucher, which parents can donate to a school of their
choice. These can be collected together by schools and spent on equipment and
resources from BLi Education.

With over 25 years' experience of developing and supplying technology
products into almost all schools and local authorities within the UK, BLi
Education is uniquely situated to provide equipment for the Home Access
programme.

Notes to editors

More than a million children still have no computer at home and 35 per
cent of families have no access to the internet[3].

Research suggests that GCSE students who lose access to the internet at
home during their studies could drop as much as three grades[4].

About BLi Education

BLi Education is a leading technology supplier of software, peripherals
and hardware into the education sector, both in the UK and internationally.

The group comprises long established and popular brands such as TAG
Learning (creative ICT tools), SEMERC (Special Needs software & peripherals),
Sherston Software (curriculum content) and Economatics Education (Science and
D&T).

The in-house development team provides the focus for developing
innovative new content for learning platforms, portable computing, games
consoles and other new technologies.

Working with schools, local authorities, awarding bodies, government
departments and 'Building Schools for the Future' partners, BLi Education
ensures that children benefit from an exciting range of educational
resources.

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[1] Institute of Fiscal Studies 2009

[2] Sabates, 2008

*Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to
ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning.
For more information visit www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess

[3] Jim Knight MP, former schools minister, Sep 2008.

[4] Institute of Fiscal Studies, 2009

For more information on BLi Education's Home Access offering, please
visit www.homeaccesscomputers.com.

    For further information contact:

    Helen Stevens/Beth Wadeson
    www.ascentpr.co.uk
    bli@ascentpr.co.uk
    T. +44(0)1454-629741

For further information contact: Helen Stevens/Beth Wadeson; bli at ascentpr.co.uk, T. +44(0)1454-629741