Teachers and school support staff now eligible for a Blue Light card

[noblegiraffe]

In case any teachers don't follow Mr P and aren't aware, teachers and school support staff (including sixth form colleges) have been added to the list of people eligible for a Blue Light card. If you pay £4.99, you get two years of discounts at multiple places.

https://teachers.bluelightcard.co.uk

Because teachers love a bargain there's currently over an hour waiting time to sign up, but it was only announced yesterday so will hopefully calm down soon.

It feels nice to be recognised as essential community workers!

It's three hours now.

I did it last night and entered my card details and I got an email saying I need to pay.

It was late so I just went to bed and then this morning on the Facebook group I'm on for teachers there are loads of posts saying that people have paid multiple times so I'm just waiting it out now.

Clearly they are overwhelmed.

I'm glad teachers have finally been included but it's a bit crap you have to apply for a card. I have a friend who's in the police and all she has to do is show her warrant card to get discounts. I have also seen NHS staff get discounts just by showing their ID.

yep I logged on and got mine yesterday- really easy to do and they were able to verify with just my work email so that was good

now in regards to the 4 hours wait , it told me that when I clicked mr ps link , but when I typed blue light card in google and applied that way , I got straight through- possibly a coincidence, but worth a try .

I am also pleased as I have just got rac cover on the car for only £4 something a month with blue light.

been meaning to do that for a while

Ah I'm going to be pleased I've got something rather than begrudge police officers and NHS workers anything. Particularly recently.

I too am glad that teachers and support staff are included. It's well worth getting the card. I used mine for 20 percent off Toby Carvery.

This is excellent news! I'm definitely going to get one - I see the Blue Light Discount sign all over. £4.99 a year is really a nominal amount; I think paying a little to get the discounts is well worth it.

Discounts for Teachers is free, mind!

You've always had to pay for the card. That is nothing new.
I've had mine for years now, it's well worth it, I'm glad they've opened it up to teachers I think it is well deserved.

3 hour wait now but thanks OP!

I couldn't get it unfortunately as I work in an independent school! :(

There's a few other types of teachers who cant get it currently. I found an article here which may help others:

Blue Light Card now Available for Teachers - Vibbl

I thought it was literally for emergency workers? Why has it been opened up?

I think they want to recognise teachers as key workers, but it is annoying that staff in independent schools and FE are not recognised. Grateful for the rest of the sector though!

Hmm we are joining a trust in January, is it worth it for me? Are all trusts not included? Sorry if no one knows

It's just a membership card that brings together retailers to offer discounts.

There's loads of different schemes like this.

The public service etc is great way of using values for branding.

Adding teachers makes great commercial sense as it's many thousands of potential extra customers

Oh thanks! Dh hs one but the amount of times i'm out without him and could use it makes me wish i had my own.

Shame it’s not also for indy school teachers - my wee school pays less than local state schools! 😥

Cool story, I’ve seen my NHS husband have to get his paid for blue light card out.

JSMill · Today 12:47
I'm glad teachers have finally been included but it's a bit crap you have to apply for a card. I have a friend who's in the police and all she has to do is show her warrant card to get discounts. I have also seen NHS staff get discounts just by showing their ID.

Not true. Dh pays for his (law enforcement) as does dsis (nurse)

I applied last night. But it says ID needs to be work ID or payslip and they need to show your name, school and position. Neither my work ID or Payslips show my position so I’ve sent my contract and hoped for the best.
I’ve also paid and it’s still asking for payment 🙄

Why would independent school teachers get it?
Private business, hardly supporting the community.
do private doctors, nurses etc who don’t work in the nhs get it?

I got mine yesterday. Workmates faces hours of online queues to register. Bonkers!

It might be a tad annoying but it's not really bonkers that a thing that lots of people want to buy online might have queues, it happens all the time

Is anyone so desperate that having to wait until the next day or the the day after is a problem?

You're getting something that you didn't exist until now so hardly an issue

It's locked my existing one out FFS. And I expect a drop in discounts and companies offering them going forwards.
Already noticed a drop at Halfords.

Maybe cos teachers often are emergency workers, and are often expected to be

No, they really aren't.