Buying a multimedia resource
To buy a resource using eL Cs, you just need the approval of your eL budget holder (eg your head of department or ICT co-ordinator). Then you order direct from a supplier, informing them that you are using eLCs.

The Government has set aside substantial funds for your school to spend on multimedia resources in the form of eLCs (eLearning Credits). The money is distributed from central Government via LEAs to individual schools, which decide locally how to spend it*.

Every school has an appointed eLC budget-holder holder (eg your head, head of department, Bursar or ICT coordinator). All teachers are invited to recommend resources for purchase.

At www.curriculumonline.gov.uk you'll find the definitive list of the multimedia resources that your school can buy with its eLC money. All the resources here are geared to the subjects taught in schools in England.

By April 2006, schools will have received £330million in eLC money. For the financial year 2004-05, for instance, every school would have received £1000, plus around £9.73 per pupil. This would have been distributed by the end of June 2004.

eLCs in a nutshell 

• What are eLCs? Money set aside for your school to spend on multimedia resources.
• Which resources? Any of the thousands of multimedia resources listed on www.curriculumonline.gov.uk (unless they're free) and also available direct from suppliers.
• How much money? £330million between 2002/3 and 2005/6.
• Which schools? Funding is available for all Government-funded nursery, primary and secondary education, up to and including Key Stage 4.
• Where's our money? Your school should be receiving funds already. Check with your eLC budget-holder or LEA. 
• How is the money allocated? For further details on eLC money, and how it is allocated, click here 
• How do I use eLCs? Search this site for the resource(s) you want. Ask your eLC budget for approval, then order direct from the supplier (details supplied), saying you are using eLCs.
• Can I buy through the website? All purchases are made direct from suppliers; no transactions take place through the site. 
• When do we have to spend our eLCs? All Standards Fund grants must be spent by the end of the academic year (31st August) to ensure their effective use. If the money has not been spent by the deadline, the DfES will reclaim the money from LEAs so it can be redistributed to other areas. In practise "spent" means that schools must have either placed orders for resources or paid for ordered resources by 31 August. If an invoice is yet to be received and/or paid prior to 31 August, then the expenditure should be recorded as "committed" in the school accounts.