First News > Home iHub FAQ

First News iHub FAQs (Sky VIP)

I have registered with Sky VIP for this promotion how do I access the First News iHub?

When you sign up for your free trial through the Sky VIP website you will be taken to a confirmation page containing a link to the First News Home iHub and your unique voucher code.  Click on the link to take you to the First News iHub registration page.  You will need to submit your voucher code.  You have now activated your subscription.  Your login details will be emailed to you and you are ready to go!  Go straight to the Home iHub and get started.  The home iHub is accessible from: ihub.firstnews.co.uk

I have registered for the Home iHub but have not received my login details

Please allow 24 hours to receive your login details.  Do check your junk email. If the login details have still not been received please email [email protected] and notify us of the email address you used to register.  A new password will be sent out to the email address registered on the iHub.

How do I access the iHub (I already have a login and password)?

What happens if my login details aren’t working?

Please ensure you have completed the following:

  • Enter their username with no hidden spaces before or after
  • Select both an icon and a colour
  • Specifiy they logging ‘Home’

If you are still having trouble, please contact [email protected].

What is the current promotion for Sky VIP Customers?

Sky Vip are currently offering customers 30 days of free access for up to 2 children to the First News Home iHub via this link. Upon registering, customers will be taken to a confirmation page detailing information on accessing the First News Home iHub account(s). Details will also be delivered by email.

For this Sky VIP promotion, what happens at the end of the 30 days?

The First News Home iHub account will automatically expire. However, you can purchase further access for 3-months or 12-months to continue using the First News Home iHub account provided from the promotion. This will have retained an account’s scores, badges and completed activities. If you do not purchase, the account will expire.

What devices are compatible with the First News Home iHub?

The Home iHub can be accessed through web browsers on computers, laptops and tablets. It is not set up to work on smartphones.

What are the different reading levels available in the First News Home iHub?

The news content in the iHub is appropriate for all age groups. However, the activities are levelled to support different reading comprehension levels and confidence. 

Level 1: For children with reading ages of 7-9 years

Level 2: For reading ages 10-11 years

Level 3: For reading ages 12-14 years

Please note: we don’t recommend buying a more advanced level, even if your child is a strong reader as they are pitched for the top of the age range. So, if your child is a strong reader in Year 4, purchase the level 1 iHub and if your children is a strong reader in Year 6, purchase the level 2 iHub. If your child needs more support, we’d recommend the level below their current age, as the shorter activities will are designed to motivate and encourage reading. The children are not told what level they are set at.

Can the First News Home iHub reading levels be changed for an account?

Yes, the parent can email First News on [email protected] to request to change a level. Please allow at least one working day for this to be actioned.

How do I know which level my child is working on?

This will have been the reading level you selected upon purchasing Please contact [email protected] if you’d like confirmation at any time.

How do I know when to go up a level?

If the First News Home iHub isn’t proving to be a challenge for your child and they’d like to move up a level, parent can email First News on [email protected] to request to change a level. Please allow at least one working day for this to be actioned.

How do I track how my child’s progress?

You will be emailed a weekly progress report which will confirm how many activities have been completed, points earned and accuracy rate (among other things).  Once you have logged in you can see the number of points earned at the top of the page.  On the menu at the top right-hand side of the screen you can select ‘Scores and badges’.  This will take you to a page where results are displayed.

Can I have two different children (through the one account) logged in on two different devices?

This works best if just one child is accessing the account at a time.

How do I track how my child’s progress?

You will be emailed a weekly progress report which will confirm how many activities have been completed, points earned and accuracy rate (among other things).  Once you have logged in you can see the number of points earned at the top of the page.  On the menu at the top right-hand side of the screen you can select ‘Scores and badges’.  This will take you to a page where results are displayed.

How do I select which tasks to do?

The Home Page / Dashboard automatically refreshes with the latest activities (according to the level you have chosen).  At the top of the screen you will see the menu: 1-2-3.  Click on these and you will be taken to the latest comprehensions, puzzles and debates (level 3).  Scroll down and there is a button to take you to the ‘Activity Library’.  All activities for the selected level are listed here in chronological order. You can use the filters at the top to narrow your search.

 

Further down the Home Page you will find the ‘Week Poll’ and “My News Gallery’

How do I use ‘My News Gallery’?

This is built for children to write the news based on the 8 pictures selected each week. They can choose to report the real story or create a fictional report.  All reports are then saved into the News Gallery.

Why don’t I have any messages?

Sorry, you won’t get any here – this is set up for teachers to message their pupils!

How can I see the activities I have already completed?

Go to the Activity Library and use the ‘toggles’ to select what you want to see.  You can select to view only the completed activities.

Can I extend my trial?

You cannot extend your free trial but you can take out a 3-month or a 12-month subscription.  Click here to be taken to the offers.

Can I take out a subscription?

Yes, click here to see offers available

If I take out a subscription will my work and points be carried forward?

Yes, this will continue seamlessly from your trial.