Free software for schools, students & parents

Open Office

Similar to Microsoft Office, Open Office can open all Office files and save files as office files. Works very similar to office, better in most opinions!

Google Documents

Google Docs is online free software. Create files online and share documents with friends & colleagues. You will need to sign up for a Google account. Includes a version of PowerPoint, Word & Excel.

Scratch

Free games design software. Easy to use with plenty of tutorials and examples. Software produced by MIT for schools, used by students in junior and well as senior school.

Stick Man Pivot

Free animation software. Animate a stick man or two - make them dance!

GIMP (GUI Image Manipulation Program)

Free graphic design software. Similar to Adobe PhotoShop or Fireworks. Very good, and free!

Google Sketchup

Free 3D design software. Originally designed for creating buildings for Google Earth.

Google Earth

Free 3D map software. Fly around the world... See your house, plan your holiday!

Audacity

Free sound manipulation and recording software.

Adobe Reader

Download Acrobat Reader for free to view PDF files

Firefox

Firefox is a very good alternative to Internet explorer, some say the only browser!

Cute PDF

Create PDFs from most documents, creates the PDF during the print process. Cute PDF

Paint.NET

It's the grown up version of Paint, has layers and most tools required apart from the polygon lasso tool. Good software if you don't get on with The GIMP.