Working Within Education? Have You Got Your Blue Light Card Yet?

As of August 2024 Blue Light Card now welcomes teachers and support staff to its list of eligible services. Educators will now be able to access thousands of discounts in recognition of the important role that they play in shaping future generations. Pentagon Play support this initiative, we believe that teachers are crucial to the community, work extremely hard and deserve the very best.

What is a Blue Light Card?

Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector, armed forces and now the teaching profession with discounts online and in-store. Small and large companies across the UK support the Blue Light Community.

A Brief History of Blue Light Card

The Blue Light Card company was founded by two friends, Steve and Tom from Loughborough who noticed a gap in the market for thanking those within the emergency services. A physical membership card was quickly launched allowing members to redeem exclusive offers.

The company continued to grow and help more and more services including the police, armed forces, NHS and social care. The success of the company led to the creation of the Blue Light Card Foundation which delivers granting programmes to charities and organisations that support those within the Blue Light community.

Blue Light Card continues to support an ever growing number of members which now includes the education sector. The organisation works with over 15,000 partner brands, in sectors ranging from leisure to technology, insurance to retail.

When were Teachers Allowed to Join Blue Light Card?

There are over half a million teachers in the UK who play a vital role in shaping children's lives. A Blue Light Card is a welcome reward for the hours of dedication and level of care school staff provide. In August, teachers were recognised by Blue Light Card as key workers who support our communities.

Why are Teachers now Eligible for a Blue Light Card?

Blue Light Card's mission is to save members money and to recognise and reward the dedication of key workers in the community.

Teachers are key workers who often put the needs of others before their own. Blue Light Card want to support teachers financially and provide access to exclusive experiences to promote work-life balance and well-being.

Which Members of the Teaching Profession can Apply for a Blue Light Card?

Employees who work in any of the following roles are eligible both in teaching and support staff positions:

• State Early Years and Primary Schools
• State Operated Secondary Schools and institutions offering further education for students aged 16-18
• Specialised Schools
• Vocational Institutions
• Specialised Education and Training Facilities
• Centrally Managed Employment Programmes

Currently, those employed in the higher education faculty are not eligible for a Blue Light Card however this may change in the future.

Is a Blue Light Card Worthwhile?

Absolutely! A Blue Light Card allows members to shop and save at hundreds of high street retailers, restaurants and cinemas!

Days Out for Less

The Blue Light Community can claim top savings on activities for all ages. Members can embrace adventure with theme park discounts, watch a favourite film with exclusive ticket discounts and marvel at animals by visiting zoos and aquariums for less.

There are many amazing offers on family attractions such as Go Ape, Madame Tussauds and Warwick Castle to name a few.

There are also a number of restaurants and cafes which offer Blue Light Card discount such as:

• Beefeater- 25% off food
• Dominos Pizza - up to 50% off
• Frankie and Benny's - 20% off food
• Starbucks - 10% discount

Cost-effective Membership

A Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for 2 years access to thousands of discounts. Weekly shopping can be made easier as Asda give 5% discount in store on fresh foods. Numerous clothing stores (370+) also offer discounts on full price items such as Clarks, JD Sports, Look Fantastic, Matalan, TU Clothing and many more.

Even big name electrical brands and stores such as Apple (2% discount), O2, EE, Samsung, Argos and Currys offer valuable discounts. Teachers looking to save on last minute summer holidays can access discounts from named outlets such as Booking.com, EasyJet and Jet2 Holidays.

It is worth noting that offers can change, certain stores may offer Blue Light Card discount for a limited time and discounts differ between each individual brand.

Convenient and Accessible

There are a number of ways to use a Blue Light Card to obtain discounts including:

• In high street stores or restaurants by presenting a physical Blue Light Card.
• Online - A Blue Light Card Chrome Extension allows members to be notified when there is a Blue Light Card offer available on the website you are browsing.
• Via the Blue Light Card App where members can browse available offers and search for more specific results. There is a map function on the app which shows local discounts nearest to where you live and also states just how much money you've saved using the card.

Big Blue Rewards can be accessed via the app which allows members to enter weekly draws to win top prizes.

How to Apply for a Blue Light Card?

Head over to the Blue Light Card website to join a community of over 4 million members! Simply select Teachers from the list of services on the registration page. Verification will require a work email address, official work ID or a payslip.

It may take a few days for your application to be processed as the service has been experiencing high demand since release.

Blue Light Card offers discounts that will appeal to a wide range of members whether purchasing a new car, renewing health insurance or buying school uniforms. The addition of the Blue Light Card provides a huge boost in morale for education staff and Pentagon Play hope the scheme allows all educators to gain a well deserved treat.

Important: Pentagon Play are not associated with the Blue Light Card company, therefore we aren't involved in the approval process. We are happy to provide you with any information we have, but make sure that you visit the Blue Light Card website and contact their team for direct communication.