Device Requirements

The scheme will apply in two different ways:

1. Pupils from P5-S2 will be required to provide an iPad. We feel this is the most suitable device for these year groups because of its robust design and performance, the tablet form factor and the availability of cases, replacement parts etc. Please see our FAQs below for more information. A bluetooth keyboard is encouraged from S1, but is not mandatory.

2. Pupils from S3-6 may bring any tablet or laptop (including Chromebooks) of their choice. (In subsequent years this could continue to be the iPad they used in S2 or below, but could also be a different device running any operating system.)

All pupils should bring their device to school with them from the start of term and the device will be enrolled when they start.

The minimum expected life of the iPad is 3 years, but in many cases it will last a lot longer. However, in order to future-proof the device as much as possible against needing to replace it too soon, the iPad Air is the preferred specification iPad we recommend to give this expected life.

If your child already has an older iPad that you wish them to use, please note that although this will be compatible now and we are happy for pupils to use it, the device may not give functionality for the full three years and it may need to be replaced sooner. 

Our recommended iPad models are as follows:

iPad 2022 Model A2692

iPad Air 2022 Model A2588

iPad Pro 11” 2022 Model A2759

iPad Pro 12.9” 2022 Model A2436

The iPads that we have recommended above will give the best device life expectancy - at least three years is anticipated. However, we are aware that many pupils/families may already have an iPad, in which case we recommend the following minimum requirements:

7th Generation (or newer) iPad, these include:

iPads from 2019 (Models A2197, A2270 or A2602)

iPad Air from 2020 (Model A2316)

iPad Pro 11”from 2020 (Models A2228 or A2377)

iPad Pro 12.9” from 2020 (Models A2229 or A2378)

Please note that these devices may not give the functionality required over a number of years and may need to be replaced sooner. You can find help on how to identify your iPad model here.

If you already have an iPad and have any questions about whether or not the device would be suitable then please email Dave MacDonald, Director of Digital Strategy, who will be happy to answer any questions.

iPad devices are readily available online and in high street stores.

• Protective Case & Optional Keyboard - we strongly recommend that you purchase a robust protective case that covers the corners of the iPad and the screen. We recommend the following cases for your iPad:

  1. • Survivor case - there are a range of cases for different size iPads.

     • Clamshell keyboard cases are available in a variety of sizes. Although a bluetooth keyboard is optional, they could be handy for pupils, especially in the Upper School, who prefer to type using a keyboard instead of typing on screen.

• Insurance & Warranty - we recommend that you purchase a care plan or insurance that protects against accidental damage.

• Storage capacity - We do not feel it is necessary to have an iPad with 256GB of storage space. On the other hand, even though we are now using OneDrive as a cloud storage solution, we would not recommend an iPad with less than 64GB of storage space.

• iPad mini - the iPad mini is not a suitable device for our 1:1 scheme and so is not on is not on our recommended list. The limited size of the screen on the iPad mini adversely affects the use of some apps, especially where there is considerable text based work.

Pupils in S3-S6 can choose what device they bring to school, based on their personal preference, the subjects that they are studying and a suitable device that they may already have. This could be an iPad, a laptop style device, a Chromebook or another suitable device.

Why a prescriptive approach (iPads) for P5-S2, and a device-agnostic approach (any tablet or laptop) for S3-6?

Because P5-S2 pupils are taught a common, core curriculum in whole class groupings and are at an earlier stage of cognitive development, we believe that the tablet form factor is better for them than a laptop. It is more portable, more robust and more versatile in how it can be used and is better suited to the nature of the curriculum and activities at these ages. There is also generally much less extended writing than is the case in the later stages of the Upper School. We also believe it is important that the teacher has one single type of device to manage in the classroom as P5-S2 pupils are less able to manage their own device than S3-6 pupils. On the other hand, once subject choices have been made from S3 onwards, and the curriculum has narrowed down, and the pupils have become more capable of managing their own device, and where there is generally more extended writing, we believe a different - device agnostic - approach can be taken.

Why have 1:1 devices? 

iPads, laptops and other tablet devices are well suited to providing an extensive range of tools and opportunities to support our educational aims. These include collaboration, independent learning and research, creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and communication.

Why were iPads selected for P5-S2 over other tablets or laptops such as Android or Windows based devices? 

A number of criteria were taken into consideration for selecting the most suitable device. These included: ease and quality of user experience, the availability of educational apps, reliability, robustness, battery life, protective case availability, portability and the amount of IT support required. In all these areas, the iPad is still sector-leading within education as it is lightweight, has reliable software, a high quality screen, can be switched on almost instantly and has a very large and relevant range of educational apps suitable for learning & teaching.

What iPad does the School recommend?

• The School recommend that parents who are purchasing a new iPad, consider purchasing the latest generation iPad, iPad Air or iPad Pro. As a minimum, the School requires that an iPad 7th Generation, or newer, is supplied.

• Ideally the iPad will have at least 64GB of storage space.

• Wi-Fi only models are recommended over the Wi-Fi + Cellular models.

• The specification will be reviewed periodically.

• Please note that Apple also offers an iPad mini. However, this does not meet our minimum specifications. The School currently does not believe it is suitable for use in the classroom environment.

• Older iPads are not suitable due to their lack of features and inability to support current and/or future versions of the iOS operating system. 

Should we buy an iPad with 4/5G connectivity? 

We recommend that parents do not purchase 3, 4 or 5G enabled devices. Parents should be aware that internet access from devices with 4/5G connectivity cannot be filtered in school for inappropriate content.

What about insurance and warranty? 

Parents are strongly advised to purchase a warranty and insurance policy for new devices. We recommend that parents who already have a suitable iPad, purchase sufficient warranty and insurance unless they already have this in place.

How do we purchase an iPad for our child? 

There are many online and high street vendors that you can use to buy your iPad. We are also aware that some vendors have offers which spread the purchase price over a longer period. For example, John Lewis currently has an iPad 2022, where payment can be spread over 6 months or an iPad Air 2022 where payment can be spread over 12 months. (see the following John Lewis links: iPad 2022 - 6 months and John Lewis - iPad Air 2022 - over 12 months)

Why doesn’t the School fund the provision of iPads for its pupils? 

The iPad is designed to facilitate learning at home as well as at School. The iPad is a personal device and, as with other pieces of pupil equipment such as sports kit, calculators and items of school uniform, we believe it will be best looked after if it is owned by the pupils and monitored by their parents. The experience of other schools, both in the UK and elsewhere, is that 1:1 devices such as the iPad are used most effectively if they are owned by individual pupils. Parents will wish to manage the use of the iPad by their child at home and the School would be unable to support such use given the many different IT environments that operate in different families.

Do we need to create an iTunes account for our child? 

In order to be able to use an iPad it is necessary to setup an iTunes account with an Apple ID. An iTunes account is required to download apps onto the iPad. It is up to the parent to decide if a new account is to be created for their child or if an existing family iTunes account is used. During the Apple ID setup process you will be asked to enter payment details. You do not have to enter your credit card details as other options are available. Credit card details can be removed at any time. Parents may choose to manage their child's iTunes account or they may choose to share one iTunes account with other family members or provide their child with iTunes gift cards to purchase apps.

iTunes accounts are restricted to persons over 18 years of age. How does this affect the use of the iPad? 

iTunes accounts are actually available to people aged 13 and over, but Apple recommends that users aged 13-18 read through the terms and conditions with their parents. For pupils under 13 and/or if parents have concerns, then we recommend that parents set the iTunes account up in their name and control access to the account password. iTunes cards can be purchased which can be used by pupils without the need to access password or credit card details and are likely to be the better choice for pupils who are under 13.

Can we share the same iTunes account at home? 

While it is possible for more than one person to share an iTunes account this may become confusing over time. Sharing iTunes accounts means that all purchased apps are shared between devices. In the case of iCloud, this also means that all pictures and documents are shared. 

There are inappropriate apps on the App Store. Will teachers keep an eye on what Apps pupils download? 

Teachers will monitor the use of the iPad in the classroom to ensure it is being used appropriately. However they will not be able to check all apps on the device. Parents should consider whether to enable the parental controls on the iPad to restrict access to age-inappropriate apps. 

What happens if the iPad gets lost or damaged? 

While parents will be responsible to organise the repair or replacement of damaged or lost devices, the school will have some devices available for short loan during the time pupils are without a device.

Who is responsible if another pupil damages my child’s iPad? 

Individual pupils are responsible for their own iPads and should ensure that they take care of it at all times. The normal disciplinary procedures apply in the event of damage to another pupil's property.

Are the iPads passcode protected? What happens if my child forgets their passcode? 

Pupils will be required to have a passcode on their iPad as part of the setup process. If this passcode is forgotten, the iPad will need to be erased which can be a time consuming process. Parents are encouraged to keep a copy of their child’s passcode. 

What happens to pupil work if the iPad is lost/damaged/stolen? 

Pupils are responsible for ensuring they keep an up-to-date backup of their iPad. In the event that an iPad is lost/stolen, all work that has been backed up by either syncing with iTunes, iCloud or using a different backup option, will still be available.

How will the school ensure that the devices are secure? 

Pupils must understand that they need to look after their belongings. The iPad itself must also be kept in a protective case to protect from accidental damage. Each pupil will also be required to provide clear personal identification on the device to allow them to identify the device easily from the lock screen. Pupils will be expected to follow school guidance on ensuring that device security settings, backup and passcodes are set appropriately. They will be guided through this during the setup process.

How do we manage the iPad battery? 

Pupils will be expected to charge their iPad at home each night. The battery life is rated at approximately 10 hours. The school does not provide charging facilities for iPads. 

What about Internet safety? 

The apps available on the iPad are regulated by Apple and internet access will only be via our wireless network which is filtered in exactly the same way as for our network of fixed PCs. These filters block access to any inappropriate content while the device is used on the School network. Parents are free to determine how restrictive their child’s access should be at home. We recommend that parents also use the parent controls that the  iPad offers. We do not anticipate that having the parent controls activated will cause any restrictions for use in lessons, but we will be monitoring the situation closely. All pupils will receive and sign the school’s Responsible Use Policy and we will continue to support pupils’ understanding of their responsibilities and risks online.

How will you monitor what they are doing on their iPads during the school day? 

We use monitoring software called Impero to monitor appropriate use of technology during the school day. Pupils must not tamper with, or delete, Impero (which is a Chrome extension that will be installed on the device). Impero will only connect to our monitoring software when a pupil is signed into our Albyn School network. When using their iPad at home, they will not be subject to any monitoring by Impero or our school filtering system. When using their device at home, it is the responsibility of the parents to monitor what they are doing online. Staff may request to look at an iPad during the school day if they suspect that a pupil may be misusing the device or breaking the Responsible Use Policy. 

For what types of tasks will the iPad be used? 

The iPad will be used to access information and online resources. Subject specific apps may also be used to assist in building pupil knowledge. The iPad will allow pupils to create content, including movies, interactive books, mind maps, presentations and text documents. Further subject specific information will be available via individual departments. 

What Apps will be required? 

Pupils will be required to install a Chrome extension for Impero monitoring Software. This extension must not be removed, or tampered with. We will be recommending a core group of essential apps which we will publicise to pupils and parents before the start of the academic year in August 2024. During the academic year, departments may request that pupils install more specific apps on an ad-hoc basis.

Will the iPad be used in all classes? 

The iPad will be used as a learning tool and will be used in conjunction with a range of more traditional means of learning and teaching including the use of pen and paper! Whilst it is hard to put an exact percentage on their use, our aim over time is that much of the information that was previously delivered on paper will be given to pupils via the iPad.

Will pupils still be writing using pen and paper? Will handwriting skills still be considered important? 

Yes and yes! Although the iPads are being introduced to enhance learning and teaching, using a pen and paper is still an important skill for pupils to learn particularly as examinations continue to be handwritten. 

How are pupils prevented from accessing non-educational apps/websites during class time? 

Teachers will monitor the use of iPads in the classroom as part of their classroom management. Misuse of the iPad in class will be treated the same as any other distracting activity such as the misuse of a mobile phone and normal classroom discipline rules will apply. Pupils will have the Impero Chrome extension installed on their iPad and this must not be removed/disabled. This will be installed in school at the beginning of term. Staff may ask to check that it is still installed from time to time.

Does the School backup the iPads? 

No, pupils are responsible for ensuring that their iPad is backed up regularly by either connecting it to their home computer, or using iCloud or other backup services. 

What happens if a pupil forgets their iPad or forgets to charge it overnight? 

As the iPad is used as a tool to enhance current practices, the pupil will not have access to the additional resources and tools available on the iPad for that day. Limited facilities will be available if a pupil’s iPad needs to be charged. However, as it is a requirement that the device is brought to school fully charged, a pupil who repeatedly brings an iPad to school that is not charged could be subject to the school discipline policy.

If my child downloads apps such as Instagram, Snapchat etc from home, will it work when they bring it to school? 

No, the School’s filtering system will block access to this content while connected to the School network. 

Can pupils print from an IPad? 

Although it will be possible to print from an iPad wirelessly using papercut, the big picture here is that we are hoping to move away from printing. Alternatively, it is very easy to share files from an iPad via the cloud or email with yourself so you can then print from a traditional computer.

Will homework be done on the iPad? 

As with teaching, there will be a combination of iPad based homework and more traditional, paper-based tasks. Pupil homework will be set online using MS Teams, but not all homework will have to be completed or submitted online.

How will I know how much time my child will need to use the iPad at home for school work? 

The time required will depend on the homework that pupils have to complete. For example, a pupil who is completing a writing task might only need the iPad to access a dictionary or the thesaurus. Another child might require more time in order to research and prepare a presentation on a specific topic. Further subject specific information will be available via individual departments. 

Will I know more detailed information about the homework task so that I can ensure the iPad is being appropriately used for the task? 

Homework tasks will be communicated using the same methods that are currently in place. Pupils should be able to determine whether or not they need the iPad to complete their homework tasks. 

Will all homework tasks require the iPad? In what way will the iPad be used for homework tasks? 

The iPad will be used as an additional resource to assist pupils in completing homework tasks. There may be some tasks that will benefit from the use of the iPad and some that will not need it at all. How the iPad is used will vary from subject to subject.

Do we need wi-fi at home? 

Whilst not essential, having wi-fi at home will allow pupils to fully utilise all our online resources. Ultimately, it is up to families to make a decision about this option. 

Does the iPad replace the need for a laptop/desktop computer at home? 

Whilst an iPad does not fully replace a laptop/desktop computer for some high end tasks such as web development, animation and desktop publishing, we believe it is more than sufficient for tasks that P5-S2 pupils will be undertaking. Desktop facilities will continue to be available at school. 

How can I ensure my child only downloads suitable/appropriate apps? 

This can be achieved by controlling access to the iTunes account password and setting up parental controls. 

How can I ensure my child is not using the iPad inappropriately at home? 

Clear boundaries and expectations are the easiest way to achieve this as with the use of all computers in a domestic setting. We recommend that you only allow use of the iPad in open and visible parts of the house, not bedrooms. Establishing a routine where the iPad is checked by parents regularly is also a good idea. 

We have Windows PCs at home, do we need to buy Mac computers? 

No. iTunes software is Windows PC compatible enabling you to connect, synchronise and backup your iPad with a PC. Common file formats for documents, images, photos and movies are now compatible with iOS (iTouch, iPhone, iPad), OS X (MacBook, iMac) and Windows PCs. 

Can my child put their own apps/songs on the iPad? 

Yes. The iPad is a personal device linked to an iTunes account. Pupils can install their music and games onto the iPad as long as their use does not impact on the space available for educational resources and apps. However, it will be impressed upon pupils that, whilst at school, the device is an educational device.

What do I do if there is something wrong with the iPad? Do I need to contact Apple for repairs or will the School arrange for the problem to be fixed? 

Any issues with the device should be reported to Apple, or the supplier from which the iPad was purchased.

What happens if my child breaks the Responsible Use Policy agreement?

Our focus in school is very much to promote the responsible use of technology. However, if a pupil breaks our Responsible Use Policy they will be subject to the school discipline policy as appropriate. Repeated infringements of the Responsible Use Policy may result in access to our school network being denied.

What needs to be done to set up the iPad to allow it to be used in School?

Staff will connect the iPad to the school wi-fi at the start of the term in August. Once connected to the school wifi, pupils will need to install the Impero Chrome extension which we will use to monitor what they are doing on their iPads when connected to our school network. In order to do this, pupils will need to have permission to install apps. We will provide more information about this process in due course, including a link to allow you to install the Impero Chrome extension at home during the summer if you do not want your child to be able to install apps on their iPad.