The NGfL Baseline
General
In accepting NGfL Standards Fund grant in 2001-02 LEAs have committed themselves
to achieving a minimum threshold of access to ICT in all of their schools by 2002.
NGfL funding will also be available in 2002-03 to help complete this process.
The NGfL baseline is defined as:
- Access to ICT for teaching and learning purposes equivalent to a computer
to pupil ratio of at least 1:11 in each primary school and 1:7 in each secondary
school.
- A secure (see below) connection to the Internet in each school, with at
least 20% of schools connected at broadband level.
- At least one networked computer with Internet access in each school for
management and administrative purposes.
Reporting arrangements
In May 2001 LEAs will be required to complete electronic returns outlining progress
made by their schools toward the baseline, and their plans for ensuring that all of
their schools are at or above the baseline by 31 August 2002. Details of the data
required can be found here.
Which computers should be included?
Only computers used for teaching and learning should be counted when assessing progress
towards the computer to pupil ratio element of the baseline. This definition includes:
- Desktop, portable and handheld computers, and thin-client devices, which
are capable of being networked, and of running current versions of educational
multimedia software and Internet/intranet applications.
- Computers that are not capable of supporting current multimedia and networking
functionality but which serve a purpose in specific teaching areas such as word-processing,
stand-alone applications, control and data logging.
The following should not contribute towards computer to pupil ratios:
- Computers used exclusively for school administration or management purposes.
- Computers that are permanently broken.
- Computers for which schools have no compatible software.
- Computers that are privately owned by staff or pupils.
Internet connectivity
- To be classed as 'broadband' connectivity at individual school level should
be equivalent to at least 2 Mps.
- If an LEA is a member of a regional broadband consortium (RBC) then the
baseline reference to 20% of schools having broadband connectivity by 2002
applies across all LEAs within the consortium, rather than to the individual
LEA (as would be the case if it did not wish to join, or to continue its membership
of, an RBC).
- To meet the terms of the NGfL baseline all computers used by pupils to access the Internet
should provide appropriate levels of security. Guidance for schools on safe use of the
Internet is available in the DfEE publication 'Superhighway Safety'. This and related
guidance materials can be accessed by clicking here.
Management ICT
- Every school will need the capacity to generate a pupil-level return for
the Annual Schools Census (PLASC) in January 2002, as envisaged by the Information
Management Strategy (IMS). Further details about the IMS may be found in the
document sent to all schools in February 2001, or by clicking here.
- Where practical, local area networks in schools should serve both management and
curriculum purposes. Ideally, where a school has such a network, the aim should be
for it to enable at least three machines to access the management information system
(with appropriate security to prevent unauthorised use) and to provide immediate
Internet access for the headteacher and secretary.
Special Schools
Given the individual nature of special schools and their specific requirements,
they have not been set a baseline for meeting Standards Fund requirements. However,
special schools might be expected to achieve at least at the baseline level of
secondary schools unless there are specific reasons why this would be inappropriate.
Return to NGfL Funding Guidance
Return to Standards Fund website
