This from the Staffordshire Evening sentinel

[Lula]

SYNETRIX TAPS INTO EDUCATION

 

Be the first reader to comment on this story

HAYLEY HARP

 

09:40 - 24 September 2007

 

A Computer network specialist has won a £5 million contract to provide connectivity to disadvantaged children.Synetrix is the only company to have been selected for the Computers for Pupils contract, which is part of a £60 million two-year Department for Education and Skills-funded initiative aimed at helping some of the most disadvantaged secondary school children to improve their education and life skills.

 

It is aimed at Key Stage Three and Four pupils (aged between 11 and 14, and those aged 15 to 16), and means the company, which employs 50 people in Keele, will be putting a computer and broadband internet into the homes of pupils within 31 local education authorities.

 

The authorities, which include Stoke-on-Trent, have been given grants to provide the 10 per cent most deprived children in their schools a device (usually a laptop) and broadband connectivity to online educational resources and a safe, filtered internet service.

 

 

The Synetrix offering incorporates a variety of options, including mobile 3G data connectivity, fixed broadband and fixed wireless networks to connect pupils to their learning resources while away from school.

 

Pete Davis, business development manager for Synetrix, said: "We believe that Computers for Pupils is a significant project of strategic importance. "The use of ICT in schools is now becoming an essential tool in learning.

 

"Computers for Pupils extends ICT into the home and the community, and the continuing development of mobile devices and online services creates broader opportunities for education, business and the public sector."

 

Niel McLean, executive director at education technology agency Becta, said: "Providing internet access at home can positively help these children's education by motivating them to learn and develop ICT and life skills.

 

"The whole family, school and wider community can also benefit through increased involvement in the education of their children, and better communication between the school and home."

 

Earlier this year, the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone (NSRZ) commissioned Synetrix to develop an Integrated Digital Strategy to establish the links between planning and investment in ICT, and key regeneration programmes in North Staffordshire. The strategy aims to help define the steps that need to be taken to ensure the future growth of the area.

 

James Capper, of NSRZ, said: "Synetrix is an excellent example of why North Staffordshire was recently voted winner of the Regional Enterprising Britain competition, as the best place to do business in the West Midlands.

 

"Creating the digital infrastructure for the new knowledge-based businesses of the future will be critical to long-term regeneration in the area."

#

 

 

how long before one of the laptops appear on ebay?

[angelone]

What gets me is that people that go out to work and live on the bread line do not get any help at all. Do they not realise that they can not afford up to date things for their children....red tape and politics i hate it!

[the main man]

Was just reading about this scheme, it's due to be rolled out across the country in the autumn of this year after a couple of pilot projects.

 

Becta Home Access

 

Does anyone know the criteria to benefit from this scheme? it could genuinely benefit someone I know.