Griffin Education is now a Registered Retailer for Curriculum Online

Click here to view the list of COL approved products

What is Curriculum Online (COL)?
Curriculum Online is the next step in the government’s sequence of investments in ICT for schools, building on 4 years of the ICT in Schools Programme (formerly known as the National Grid for Learning)

The DfES says “The vision of Curriculum Online is one of online access to a wide range of digital learning materials, easily accessible to teachers which they can use to support their teaching across the curriculum.”

The initiative is supported by an online portal providing a database of certified resources from approved suppliers, searchable by Key Stage, Subject, Topic and Programmes of Study.

COL was announced in December 2001 by the Prime Minister promising first year funding of £50m for schools to purchase software and digital resources. Then, in January 2003, Minister of Education, Charles Clarke followed this by announcing a further £280m of COL funding over a period of 3 years from April 2003.

What are eLearning Credits (eLCs)?
The COL funding is called 'eLearning Credits' but is, in fact, cash distributed to schools, via their LEAs, in addition to their existing Standards Fund money. The eLCs are distributed to all maintained schools, non-maintained special schools and pupil referral units in England.

The first £30 million of eLCs was issued to schools in November 2002. The next £100m will be issued to schools in April 2003, followed by further tranches of £100m in April 2004 and April 2005.

What Can I Spend eLearning Credits On?
You can spend your eLCs only on eligible products from COL Registered Retailers such as Griffin Education. These products can include any type of educational software package or digital resource (and not, contrary to some rumours, just those delivered online).

When and Where?
Now! The funding is in school budgets and the COL portal is live - at www.curriculumonline.gov.uk - BUT it is not an online ordering service, just a searchable database of software and resources from approved suppliers. To browse Griffin Education's own online catalogue of COL approved products, click here.

How?
The eLCs are simply a means of funding. You simply place an order for software in your normal way, either in writing, or by email, fax or phone. Please be sure to mention that it is an eLC order. That's all there is to it!

Useful Information
To view the COL Portal, go to www.curriculumonline.gov.uk
For information about your eLC funding, contact your own LEA.