[holding answer 26 June 2006]: The Department sent 27 e-mails automatically to all primary and secondary schools within the last 12 months. These e-mails provided schools with a regular update on the information and resources available to them online and in hard copy. No hard copy documents were sent to all schools in the last 12 months.
The Department only sends hard copy publications automatically to all primary and secondary schools in England in exceptional cases having stopped regular paper mailings in December 2004. Discussions with head teachers and detailed research showed that schools wanted to be able to choose the printed publications they needed, when they needed them, and to be able to order multiple copies.
[holding answer 26 June 2006]: The Department sent 27 emails automatically to all primary and secondary schools within the last 12 months. These emails provided schools with a regular update on the information and resources available to them online and in hard copy.
The Department only sends hard copy publications automatically to schools in England in exceptional cases having stopped regular paper mailings in December 2004. Discussions with head teachers and detailed research showed that schools wanted to be able to choose the printed publications they needed, when they needed them, and to be able to order multiple copies.
The online ordering system enables schools to choose whether to download electronic copies or order the paper based publications they need at the right time for them and in the multiples they require. This system is linked directly to the fulfilment service and an existing telephone ordering line. A fortnightly email service to schools informs them of new and important publications. This has resulted in schools being able to order a wider variety of publications from the Department, putting schools in direct control of what they receive, when they receive it.