BT offering schools free Wi-Fi vouchers to enable pupils in need to access the internet at home
With many children still facing difficulties accessing the internet at home, and with the latest lockdown once again meaning that children need to conduct their school work from home, there is as greater need as ever for help, and BT has stepped up to offer free Wi-Fi vouchers for children with the greatest need.
BT have made a substantial number of free Wi-Fi voucher codes available for schools to distribute to pupils aged 16 or under who don’t currently have adequate access to internet connectivity at home.
BT are allocating schools with vouchers in proportion to the number of pupils at a school who are eligible for free school meals.
Each Wi-Fi voucher code will allow access to the internet on up to three devices at a time, for free, until the end of July 2021. Access will be provided through BT’s network of over 5 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the country and includes comprehensive content filtering.
Your school will need to process the application on your behalf, and will send we’ll send all the Wi-Fi voucher codes to your school. The school will then be in a position where they can then hand out the codes to the pupils they think are most in need, along with a useful guide on how to get connected.
Although BT Wi-Fi coverage is extensive with over 5 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK, it doesn't reach every address so won't be a suitable solution for all pupils. It is expected that BT Wi-Fi will reach approximately 20% of UK homes. You can check that coverage is available at your home address before you ask your school to apply for a code. Simply enter the postcode using the BT online checker. A 'heat map' will be shown using colours to denote hotspot density in the postcode area. Red shows areas with the best chance of connection, whereas green shows a lower chance. Areas on the map where no colour is shown, means there is no hotspot coverage.
Schools in England, Wales and Scotland can apply directly to BT for free Wi-Fi voucher codes. BT are not able to offer this service to independent schools, or to any schools in Northern Ireland and can only accept applications from schools and not directly from pupils, parents or guardians.
Your child may be able to get this BT offer if they currently receive free school meal, meaning if your receive any of the following support:
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
The below video explains how to connect to the BT Wi-Fi once you have received your code.
Information correct as of 10th January 2020