Following the launch of the Government’s National Grid for earning initiative, which aims to have all schools in Britain connected to the internet by 2002, Coventry City Council in partnership with Siemens Business Information and Communication Project (ICT).

The first 6 primary schools will be receiving their new computer and internet access this week. The project is based on a strategy to give all city pupils and teachers access to high quality computer equipment, and to the internet. The aim is to improve the children’s experiences and enjoyment of learning and to help improve their achievement and attainment.

IT skills will also be important in helping young people live and work in the new millennium, and in helping the city to stay prosperous.

Schools who already have internet access, have been offered a range of IT devices such as printers, scanners and digital cameras which can be used to enhance lessons and add interest. In addition, BT will provide it’s education based Campus World system to all schools, which will allow both teachers and pupils access to a secure internet site, packed with a huge range of schools’ curriculum material.

Pauline Burton, Schools, ICT Project Manager at Coventry City Council said

"This project is focused on improving, teaching and learning for young people in Coventry schools and helping pupils to improve their attainment in all subjects of the curriculum especially literacy, numeracy and IT. In addition, the Government has identified ICT as a ‘life-skill’ for the next millennium – soon, everyone will need to be as adept in the use of computers and information networks as they currently are in the use of the calculator, the motor car and the telephone. By installing this ICT equipment in all local schools, we intend to give young people the skills they need to get jobs and bring prosperity to the City."

City Council Leader, Cllr John Fletcher added

"I very much welcome the Schools ICT Project as the first plank in the City’s Strategy for Information and Communications Technology. The combination of local funding and vision, and central government policy will enable us to make significant improvements to the equipment available in all our schools in the first of this exciting project and these gains can be built upon and developed as the project expands. This can only be excellent news for our young people, for our schools and for the city."

SBSC and BT, working in partnership, are playing to their relative strengths and making sure that the city council receives the best service at the lowest price which will meet the requirements of the LEA strategic plan,

"SBSC are delighted to be involved in this innovative and exciting venture which will bring benefit to both the city and SBSC,"

said John Stanfiled, Business Development manager at SBSC.

Paul Brown, Account Director, BT Local Government added

"Working in this partnership, BT and SBSC are providing ‘Best Value’ services for schools. BT are committed to education nationally, including lifelong learning activities across the whole spectrum ranging from Nursery to Adult Education, bringing the community together to gain from these benefits."