HC Deb 18 June 2004 vol 422 cc1142-3W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the proportion of(a) primary school age and (b) secondary school age pupils who have home access to computers; and if he will make a statement. [179089]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The latest figures on child access to ICT at home are shown in the table. These figures are derived from the Young People and ICT 2002 survey which was a sample survey of households with children in England, carried out in September and October 2002.

Access to a computer at home by key stage of child
Position as at autumn 2002
Key stage Percentage
Overall 81
Key stage 1 68
Key stage 2 79
Keystage 3 83
Key stage 4 87
Post 16 87

The full survey results have been published on the Department's website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/ictinschools/evidence/

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has commissioned into the link between home computer access and learning; and if he will make a statement. [179090]

Mr. Charles Clarke

My Department has commissioned the University of Sheffield to conduct research into children's use of ICT at home and its impact on attainment in key stage tests and GCSEs. The project commenced in December 2003 and is due to report in spring 2005.

Research shows that household access to ICT has increased significantly in recent years. Among school-age children, the effective use of ICT has been shown to have a positive effect on their learning. The ImpaCT2 research study (2002) quantified this as the equivalent of half a grade at GCSE in some subjects. The current research on pupils home use of ICT will help us to understand the relative contribution of home use of ICT to improving standards.

Forward to