Hundreds of families with school age children across Brighton and Hove could benefit from a new scheme offering a free laptop and broadband access.
 
The scheme, which has been launched by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Schools Secretary Ed Balls, will mean thousands of children and their parents will be able to get internet access at home.
 
Trials of the programme showed that children who benefitted spent an hour more each week learning online, compared to their classmates who already had the internet at home. And 81 per cent of parents believed that home access had increased their involvement in their child’s learning.
 
The Labour spokesperson for Children, Cllr Pat Hawkes, is urging local parents to check whether they qualify under the ‘Home Access Programme’.  
 
Cllr Hawkes said,
“Computers should no longer be a luxury for the few. These days, computers and the internet are as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper.
 
“Hundreds of families across Brighton and Hove could be eligible. It will give children the opportunity to do coursework and research on the internet - helping children succeed in school and get the skills they need to get good jobs in the future.”
 
Families with a child in years 3 to 9 at school and eligible for free school meals can apply for the special laptop and broadband access by calling 0333 200 1004 or visiting:
www.homeaccess.org.uk