FAQs

Student Learning

Will students need fewer books as resources will be available online?

Many resources are currently available online and students will have access to many more sources using the laptops. We will look for every opportunity to reduce student bag weight by replacing bulky textbooks with electronic versions.

How can you ensure that written skills are not neglected?

Writing by hand is required for external examinations and written skills will continue to be developed. A pen and paper will be used when appropriate as will the laptop. The laptop is not a replacement pen and should not be used as a basic word processor. However, laptops are a powerful tool for improving essay writing as text manipulation helps drafting and redrafting skills.

How can we ensure that laptops are not a distraction to students?

Good classroom management with engaging tasks minimises disruptions. Laptops are a learning tool and not a distraction.

Will the school invest in resources needed for student laptops?

STC is and has been investing hugely in technology. For example, upgrading the network and wireless network, technicians, power, software, servers, back up and professional development.

Is there digital literacy programme?

Yes, we believe this is an essential skill and this is developed across the curriculum.

How will laptops improve educational attainment?

The use of laptops has been proven in many schools to raise educational attainment. However, our aim is not so much to improve attainment (i.e. grades achieved in external examinations) but to use digital technologies to enhance and transform learning and help students to develop literacy in accessing, evaluating, creating and communicating information, to engage them in deep learning and collaboration, and give them access to authentic audiences. In addition, to enable them to be able to employ digital tools both effectively and ethically.

Will students be prepared to do written exams if they are using laptops in school?

Yes. Most traditional GCSE subjects are examined through the medium of written exams, although many GCSE subjects include technology based components and we expect this to increase in the future. The IB are currently trialling e-coursework and e-marking, and plan to move to e-assessment within 6 years. Regardless, written skills will continue to be developed. A pen and paper will be used when appropriate as will a laptop. The laptop is not a replacement pen.

Security

Where can laptops be kept securely at school?

Laptops will be kept in lockers when not being used at school, for example, at lunchtime.

Is it too much responsibility for a child to look after a laptop?

Our experience in previous years, shows that students in Year 7 are very responsible. The number of misplaced laptops is very low. With support from parents and school, students develop their level of responsibility.

How durable will the laptops be?

All laptops are tested to stand the test of time and regular usage. Some laptops are designed for durability at a higher cost. The life of any laptop is approximately 3 years of regular usage not to mention the technological advances that will occur in that time frame.

Technical

How will laptops be maintained?

STC technicians are available to help students with problems in the IT & Resources Centre on the ground floor.

What happens if the battery does not last for all lessons or is not charged?

A high capacity (long lasting) battery will be one of the key considerations when selecting a machine. A sensible expectation would be that students start each day with a fully charged battery.

Why does the school use one model for Year 7-9 students?

We believe this approach will provide the best value and outcomes for every dollar invested by parents. On the surface, this approach seems similar to text books, exercise books, and calculators, but the reasons for following a single model strategy are many.

Teachers can plan to use software and services in the knowledge that they will work. When students require help, Teachers are confident, they will have prepared in similar software and can give quick help so students can carry on with the learning. When you are managing 24 students on a 15 minute task, you don’t have time to problem-solve unfamiliar software.

When students use a common platform and model, they can assist each other outside of class. They find the most efficient practices and share tips and advice.

All students have a similar entitlement – there is no laptop envy or pressure on parents to buy the most expensive new model.

Teachers can plan based on known abilities, and provide advice, links and instructions, knowing how something will appear on screen.

To properly support students so they can get on with their learning, we need to provide onsite support. We can do this properly for a known machine.

Our technical support team can maintain a software “image”. When student machines become unstable (usually due to added software and experimenting), we can reset the computer to a guaranteed stable state. Upgrades can be managed, we can ensure the wireless chipset works well with our network, we can provide a secure network login so students can access network storage (backup), printing, and can be made accountable for their use of the network and internet.

We have a duty of care to be able to trace internet traffic and sites visited if necessary.

Our technical support team can carry spare parts and execute repairs, meaning students have a minimum amount of downtime. We would choose a model that has “Accidental damage cover” – meaning that if an accident happens e.g. a drop or liquid spill, the computer can be repaired at no cost. If it is necessary to send a computer to the supplier, we can organise it, and provide a spare that is identical. Students can get help at break time – rather than wait to visit the shop or be without a laptop for up to a week.

We can use bulk purchase power to reduce the cost of both hardware and software for parents.

Our research and observations across many schools reinforce the value of specifying a single model at KS3. I spent time in a school with a “bring your own” philosophy and did not find a single class where all students had a functioning laptop (many were out for repairs and had been for days), I saw teachers unable to help students since they were unfamiliar with the software being used, and I saw laptops that were too small to work on comfortably and too large to be carried by year 8 students. The range of operating systems, software and configurations was bewildering. A student who needed a recharge could not borrow the power adapter of another, and many students found collaborative work challenging. Teachers were frustrated and the learning was not enhanced in the way it could have been.

Funding

Can we get a discount for bulk orders through the school?

Yes, we use our bulk purchasing power to seek the best value possible.

Following purchase of new laptops, when will they need replacing?

Approximately every three years.

What happens if parents can not fund the laptop due to financial difficulties?

In exceptional verified cases of hardship we will investigate a hardship fund.

Has a leasing option been considered so that technology does not become obsolete?

We have investigated this very carefully and discovered this option would actually be more expensive for parents. There are no savings on software and the ESF insurance company will not insure machines that we own, but are cared for by students. The burden of collecting and managing lease payments would have to be carried by the school since leasing companies will not enter into individual agreements with parents.