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Computers for Pupils has Prospects for your Community

August 2008 Notice: Computers for Pupils/Home Access funding deadline now approaching

Authorities who have unspent CFP funding (Grant 125) and (Grant 210) need to make decisions now about how to spend it or risk having to hand the money back.

Synetrix was awarded a contract to supply connectivity under the recent Becta Mini-competition for Access to Technology at Home (AtTH – formerly CFP) and has since delivered thousands of connections through this program. This notice is to ensure that our customers have the relevant information available to expedite decisions on connectivity to meet the fast approaching funding deadlines.

We are still able to take orders for 3G connectivity for delivery and invoice before 31st August 2008.

Capital and Revenue funding models
We offer options for Capital-only funding or Capital+Revenue funding to achieve the optimum mix and connect the maximum number of pupils.

Delayed Activation: spend budget now, activate later
We can now offer immediate delivery of 3G USB modems (capital only and capital + revenue), but actually “activate” the tariff at a later date. This will help those customers who have to spend budgets by the end of August, but have to wait until the new September school term before issuing them to pupils. This reduces the risk of having to return unspent funds or wasting connectivity rentals on undistributed 3G modems.

All of these options can be provided with a Becta accredited URL filtering solution.

We offer guidance and advice on the best mix of technologies to suit each unique situation. We can help maximise the potential of your funding to contribute to broader initiatives that will support a range of outcomes in your area.

If you need further information or advice please contact us:
Lee Neely, t: 01782 338267, m: 0773 985 2573, e: lee.neely@synetrix.co.uk
Dale Jones, t: 01782 338279, m: 0782 435 6157, e: dale.jones@synetrix.co.uk

Computers for Pupils Background:

When opportunity knocks

The Government's Computers for Pupils (CfP) programme provides £60 million grant funding over a 2 year period for secondary school children of social disadvantage to have access to learning from home. This may simply be described as providing computers in the home to narrow the gap on the digital divide; however, it also provides an opportunity for schools to extend their investment in ICT into the community and opens new opportunities for progressive home, school and community links for pupils as well as their families.

The funding will be made available to Local Authorities and schools with capital funding for equipment and related services and revenue funding to provide safe Internet connectivity.

On its own, the scheme may address the needs of a discrete group of pupils. Whilst the funding must satisfy its immediate aims, in many cases, it may be applied to broader initiatives that would give Local Authorities and schools the advantage to achieve multiple outcomes and support a wider constituency over a longer period.

Consider your options

The role of ICT within the education community has matured beyond the provision of computer suites and Internet access to address issues of inclusion, shared services, and attention to individuals' learning requirements. These issues translate into more sophisticated approaches to providing access, security, information storage and retrieval, user profiling and collaboration, any of which may be encountered in achieving the objectives set by the Computers for Pupils or complementary initiatives.

There is no single solution to address these issues, instead there are a range of options to be considered as each school or group of schools will have a unique set of circumstances which necessitate the best-fit solution.

By understanding your requirements, we can offer you a chance to consider your options by assisting you with:

• Exploring solutions that leverage existing infrastructure and aggregate demand
• Understanding how to leverage funding to address longer term outcomes
• Financial and technical design modelling to test sustainability
• Advising on best route for procurement efficiency
• Supporting the rollout of your programme

We apply our expertise and combine a range of capabilities to develop the most appropriate solution which may include:

• Connectivity options for school-home-community links including ADSL (Broadband), VPN (Virtual Private Networks), LLU (Local Loop Unbundling), Wireless and 3G
• Secure access design and modelling
• Core authentication services
• Distributed learning platforms
• e-Safety services, guidelines and acceptable use policies
• Data storage and recovery systems

Synetrix are preferred suppliers of the OGC Catalist Broadband Buying Solutions and ADIT Broadband Aggregation procurement frameworks. Under the OGC framework, Becta conducted a Broadband Connectivity mini-competition which was awarded to Synetrix.

Linking communities through the ICT Test Bed Project

Part of a flagship Computers for Pupils programme, Synetrix provided the connectivity to 800+ pupils' homes to provide 'Home Community Links' for the Sandwell ICT Test Bed project.

"This was a challenging project, one which required careful thought and consideration due to the complexities around disadvantaged homes and diverse cultural hurdles, to say nothing of the time taken to manage multiple installations for broadband links and regular family relocations. However, this is the exact reason for pilot projects; to learn lessons which can be shared for those that follow." (Quote from Mark Peate, Sandwell, National Pilot Project for Computers for Pupils.)

Synetrix have consistently applied a holistic approach to providing solutions that favour the user, offer a manageable solution for schools, and provide a sustainable and scalable investment for Local Authorities.