Loan Devices

When a pupil joins our Chromebook scheme (through the purchase of a device through us), one of the benefits of the scheme is access to a pool of loan devices. A Chromebook is an essential piece of learning equipment at TKA, and all pupils should have their device with them and fully charged ready for every school day.

Loan Pool Purpose

The pool of loan devices is designed to help pupils when they do not have access to their own Chromebook due to the following circumstances:

The pupil's own Chromebook has been accepted for repair and is with our technicians.
The pupil's parents/carers have paid for a new device but the stock has not arrived in school yet.
The pupil is new to the school and is in the grace period between joining and payment being received to join the Chromebook scheme.

In addition to the above, if there are Chromebooks left available in the loan pool on a given day, then pupils who have forgotten their own Chromebook may request to borrow one for the day. Please note that in the case of a Chromebook that has been left at home, the loan will be for that day only and there may be sanctions given that match with those for other missing school equipment.

Availability

Our loan pool of devices is relatively limited, and so parents/carers and pupils should not routinely rely on it to provide a device. There are some times of year when our supply of loan devices is very pressured, often during periods and tests and exams. We do our best to supply a device when we can, but there may be occasions when we have simply run out of devices. We cannot guarantee availability of a loan device.

The cost of the devices and running the loan pool is covered by payments to join our Chromebook scheme. Therefore, pupils eligible to borrow a device from our pool are:

Pupils who have joined the TKA Chromebook scheme through the payment for a device from us.
Pupils who are new to the school and are in the grace period while parents/carers arrange payment (usually a couple of weeks).

Please note that pupils who have a not returned a loaned device signed out to them are not usually eligible to borrow further devices.

Loan Process

Pupils needing a loan device should go to the Digital Support office (Q2-M) to request one. Priority will be given to pupils with a device in for repair with our technicians. When the loan pool device is handed over, the short term loan will be logged on our system. The pupil will then get an automated email confirming the loan and reminding them of the deadline for returning the device. Pupils should be encouraged to look for this email and check when the loan device is due for return.

It is the responsibility of the pupil to return the loan pool Chromebook to the Digital Support office by the return deadline. If they need the deadline extended, then they should still visit the office to have the loan extended. Loan pool devices that are unreturned will be automatically disabled, so please let us know if you need the device for longer than expected. Chromebooks should not be left anywhere other than inside the Digital Support office; the pupil is the custodian of the device until the point that it is checked back in by staff.

Deposit (new in 2025)

As we are loaning an item of value, we require a deposit (in kind) when a loan Chromebook is issued. For pupils with a broken or damaged device wanting a repair, they will hand over the damaged device in return for a loan Chromebook. For other daily loans, the pupil will need to leave their mobile phone in the secure locker in the Digital Support office, which they can retrieve when returning the loan device. We do not take responsibility for loss or damage to phones, but we will take reasonable steps to keep them safe in the secure locker. Staff will not handle individual phones placed in the secure locker by pupils; the locker is locked when unattended. We reserve the right to waive the deposit requirement in special circumstances.

Issues

When a loan Chromebook is issued to a pupil, the technician will usually do a quick visual check that it is not damaged and is working. Any damage or malfunction should be reported as soon as possible to an IT technician. If a loan Chromebook is lost or stolen, the pupil who received the loan device should report this in person to staff in the Digital Support office as soon as possible. We may require a short statement describing the circumstances of the loss or theft.

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