Becta Publish UK Schools ICT Funding Guidance for 2007-8
Learning, teaching and managing with ICT: Funding guidance for schools and local authorities 2007-08 has been published by Becta. This is essential reading for those involved in ICT in UK schools. This post is a quick notice–I will look at aspects and implications in more detail later.
Things to note:
- Becta published this not the DfES for the first time.
- The audience is schools and local authorities–we are in the same boat to a degree!
- ICT funding is considered in the round. Specifically looking at allocating the Devolved formula capital, School Development, National Digital Infrastructure, Electronic Learning Credits and Computers for Pupils grants within the context of each other.
- There is a useful pointer to key policy and strategy documents at the beginning.
- The aims and limitations of the grants are pretty much as before.
Of course what people want to know is how much do I spend and what are other people spending. The Financial Benchmarking site from Teachernet is supposed to help (good luck!!). However, the information here does not cover the true costs (staffing, licenses etc) and is a reflection what what schools have reported that they have spent. I know that this is often unreliable. Therefore, for the purpose of planning, Becta’s Total Cost of Ownership ICT Investment Planner is probably of more use but does need upgrading.
Links
- Becta Guidance: http://news.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=30330
- Teachernet Financial benchmarking
- Total Cost of Ownership