The Blue Light Card website 'crashed' as teachers realized they could get discounts on lots of big name brands. Educators, keen to get make shopping trips and days out cheaper, rushed to the site in droves - sparking a 'virtual queue' of several hours.

Many hadn't previously known they were eligible for the card, which provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with a range of discounts from the likes of Apple, Odeon, Starbucks and Halfords. The profession wasn't listed under the qualifying jobs section on the homepage - but it was a 'service' option during the registration process.

To sign-up, people must state what type of education setting they work in and their job title. They also then need to upload ID or a recent payslip to confirm eligibility and pay £4.99 to purchase the card, which is valid for two years.

Teacher's Viral Announcement Sparks The Rush

Teacher Lee Parkinson, known as @ICT_MrP on X, told his went viral with a video he made to announce the news. He posted: "This is not a drill. I've just discovered that teachers and school staff can access a blue light card, giving them access to thousands of different discounts."

A Rush to Register

Many rushed to the site to sign up, only to find it had 'crashed', with 'virtual queues' of up to four hours reported. One follower posted a screenshot of a three hours, 37 minute wait time and said: "Every teacher must be on registering."

A second reply read: "I’ve signed up, they accepted me and now the app is down….we broke it!" A third said: "We seem to have all crashed the website today! How were we not aware of this earlier??!!" Another added: "I'm baffled that people are in the queue. I will give it a week and sign up. It's 100 per cent worth it though, I have family with one and the discounts are great."

Website Overwhelmed By Traffic

As of 11.45am, Blue Light Card had an estimated wait time of 'more than four houses' to access the site. A message read: "You are now in line. Thank you for your patience. We are experiencing a high volume of traffic and using a virtual queue to limit the amount of users on the website at the same time. This will ensure you have the best possible online experience."

The Blue Light Card - A Boon for Educators

The Blue Light Card, a discount card initially aimed at those working in emergency services, has expanded its reach to include teachers. This move has resulted in an overwhelming influx of new members, leading to the website experiencing technical difficulties. The card offers significant savings on various goods and services, from electronics and entertainment to food and travel. While the website has been experiencing challenges, the response from teachers underscores the potential financial benefits the card offers to the education sector.

However, the influx of new members has put immense pressure on the website's infrastructure, leading to a temporary shutdown and prolonged wait times for new sign-ups. This surge in demand demonstrates the significance of the Blue Light Card for educators seeking to manage their budgets and access valuable discounts on essential items and services.