UK Government BudgetThe UK Government has finally done something positive for schools in the UK Budget October 2018.
Way back in May 2016, I advocated that our Government introduced a voucher scheme for schools. What I wanted was assistance with the acquisition of the necessary tools to equip our young learners for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
What I was asking for then was help for schools which was similar to the scheme introduced a long time ago to enable schools to invest in BBC computers. Then, as now, there was a need to teach our young minds to the new skills they would require in the Digital Age.
Budget October 2018
What this government has done in the October 2018 Budget, is introduce £400 million extra for schools in the UK this year (2018/19)
This will be £10,000 for the average primary school and £50,000 for the average secondary school.
Phillip Hammond -Chancellor of the Exchequer
Phillip Hammond, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his Budget Speech:
"Mr Deputy Speaker, We’re investing record amounts in our schools…
…and that investment is paying off with 86% of schools now rated good or outstanding, compared to 68% in 2010.
But I recognise that school budgets often do not stretch to that extra bit of kit that would make such a difference.
So today I am announcing a £400m in-year bonus to help our schools buy the little extras they need…
…a one-off capital payment directly to schools…
… averaging £10,000 per primary school and £50,000 per Secondary School."
Detractors cant take away the money
It is unfortunate that some MPs some pundits and some educationalists bridled at Hammond saying it will help “to buy the little extras that they need” It is especially unfortunate that some education establishments are struggling to balance their own budgets and are making very difficult choices about resource levels at their schools as we try to put an end to Austerity within the UK.
However, the measure should be welcomed and utilised immediately and effectively, as this is an in-year initiative which will allow those schools who wish to equip themselves with the technology required to teach our next generation of workers the iterative problem solving skills required within industry.
With a MakerBot 3D Printer for schools costing as little as £1,210 (MakerBot Mini+) which is
MakerBot Mini+fully integrated into the internet of things, and free-to-education design software like TinkerCAD, our schools should take advantage of this.
Furthermore, MakerBot have FREE resources for schools. Resources like: full lesson plans; printed and on-line resources, all to help a school get the best Return on Investment (ROI). This will make any purchase in a MakerBot 3D Printer worthwhile. Take a look at the question What is the return on investment? available free from our website
We at Shropshire 3D Print supplying to education across the UK from the Heart of England have always tried to make acquisition easy, and this same 3D Printer is available to schools on operating lease at only £26.64 per month, assisting education even more to stretch their budgets even further.
What can you get for £10,000?
The Educator's Bundle for 6th Generation
Spark curiosity, bring STEAM concepts to life, and engage the entire classroom with the MakerBot Educator's Bundle.
MakerBot Educator BundleThe Bundle
- Two MakerBot Replicator+ Desktop 3D Printer
- Two MakerBot Replicator Mini+
- Two year extended warranty on all machines (three year cover)
- One Copy of MakerBot in the Classroom resource for Educators
- One Copy of MakerBot Educators Guidebook
- Delivery & Installation plus Implementation assistance
- Filament Starter pack Large
- Filament Starter pack Small
- MakerBot Tough PLA™ bundle including Tough PLA Smart Extruder+
- Smart Extruder+
Surely any school would benefit from thee ability to process curriculum output with such a multi-3D Printer set-up.
The MakerBot Education Gateway
Paul Brewer MD at Shropshire 3D Print said: "In the absence of any Government initiative, we have had to try to assist schools ourselves. Schools endeavouring to do their best to introduce technology with the MakerBot Education Gateway. This is an operating lease facility designed especially for schools"
Paul further said "If there is new money available from the UK Government after the October 2018 budget for things like a new MakerBot then we are pleased. But we would re-affirm that we have always supported UK schools to assist with 3D Printer equipment acquisition with the MakerBot Education Gateway and will continue to do so"