We are pleased to announce that Independence is now an approved Curriculum Online content provider and that eLearning Credits (ELCs) may be used to subscribe to Issues Online.
What are eLearning Credits (ELCs)
Curriculum Online is central to the Government's drive to transform teaching and learning in schools by improving access to ICT and multimedia resources for all pupils. Here's how eLCs fit in.
The Government has set aside substantial funds for your school to spend on multimedia resources in the form of eLCs (eLearning Credits). The money is distributed from central Government via LEAs to individual schools, which decide locally how to spend it.
Every school has an appointed eLC budget-holder holder (e.g. your head, head of department, Bursar or ICT coordinator). All teachers are invited to recommend resources for purchase.
By April 2006, schools will have received £330million in eLC money. For the financial year 2004-05, for instance, every school would have received £1000, plus around £9.73 per pupil. This would have been distributed by the end of June 2004.
eLCs in a nutshell
What are eLCs? Money set aside for your school to spend on multimedia resources. Multimedia resources are generally defined as items of educational software designed to support the teaching of the curriculum in England. They cannot be spent on hardware such as computers or projectors.
Which resources? Any of the thousands of listed here on www.curriculumonline.gov.uk (unless they’re free) and also available direct from suppliers.
How much money? £330million between 2002/3 and 2005/6.
Which schools? Funding is available for all Government-funded nursery, primary and secondary education, up to and including Key Stage 4.
Where’s our money? Your school should be receiving funds already. Check with your eLC budget-holder or LEA.
How do I use eLCs? Search this site for the resource(s) you want. Ask your eLC budget for approval, then order direct from the supplier (details supplied), saying you are using eLCs.
Can I buy through the website? All purchases are made direct from suppliers; no transactions take place through the site.
When do we have to spend our eLCs? All Standards Fund grants must be spent by the end of the academic year (31st August) to ensure their effective use. If the money has not been spent by the deadline, the DfES will reclaim the money from LEAs so it can be redistributed to other areas. In practice e “spent” means that schools must have either placed orders for resources or paid for ordered resources by 31 August. If an invoice is yet to be received and/or paid prior to 31 August, then the expenditure should be recorded as “committed” in the school accounts. The outstanding invoices can then be paid after 31 August.
For further information about eLearning credits, please go to:
http://www.curriculumonline.gov.uk/AboutELCs/WhatareeLCs.htm
Curriculum Online Orders
Subscribe to Issues Online, using your eLearning Credits, and receive six titles in the Issues series each term free. As an introductory offer you also receive an additional six titles of your choice from the Issues series absolutely free!
We can accept your orders using eLearning Credits by mail, e-mail, fax or phone.
Alternatively to download an order form please go to Curriculum Online Orders for price and ordering details.
Independence Educational Publishers
The Studio
High Green
Great Shelford
Cambridge
CB22 5EG
Tel. 01223 550801
Fax. 01223 550806
issues@independence.co.uk
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