Purpose

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority
(GMCA) have secured £1 million from the Department of
Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This follows a funding
proposal being submitted by GMCA on behalf of the ten councils
across Greater Manchester to deliver the Digital Participation for
Schools Programme (DPSP).

The funding will be apportioned by GMCA to the ten local
authorities based on pupil premium numbers. The funding is
accompanied by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GMCA and
Oldham Council.

Oldham Council will directly distribute the funding allocated to
the Council from GMCA to Secondary Schools and Academies based on
pupil premium numbers. A MoU will be in place between Oldham
Council and each educational setting.

Content

1) To accept funding of £101,386.35 from
GMCA to deliver the DPSP in Oldham.

2) To distribute funds to Oldham Secondary Schools, Academies and
Pupil Referral Units from 1 April 2025. Each setting will consider
how to support their children and young people appropriately to
reduce barriers to digital participation with a focus on
distributing devices and data. There is also a requirement to share
case studies demonstrating how children and young people have
benefited from the funding.

Reasons for the decision

No alternative options are available with the
prescribed timescales form GMCA.

Alternative options considered

No alternative options are available with the
prescribed timescales form GMCA.