Tablets/smartphones for Y7

[stripeylawn]

DS is starting secondary on Tues. School have stipulated that the children need to have either a tablet or smartphone.

Anyone else have experience of this and what might be suitable?

I am really dreading this as no doubt DS will lose it or come back with a cracked screen in the first week.

[Auntfini]

That sounds insane to me. I cannot believe that they are insisting on this (I mean I do believe you, just it is so bizarre)
I wouldn't be getting a smart phone. I'd get a cheap tablet if anything.

[stripeylawn]

I am trying to hold off in order to see whether this really is necessary but it is included in the headmaster's letter about required equipment.

[noblegiraffe]

More info is surely needed. Do they want android or i devices? Each have their own apps and it would be a royal pain in the arse to have the wrong type.

[NettoSuperstar]

I'd be cross at the school insisting.
DD has just started High school (Scotland), and there was no such request.
That said, she had a Smartphone and I'm getting her a laptop for Christmas, I do think they need them, but don't think the school should demand it.

[stripeylawn]

The letter states that it used to be iPhones or iPods but with the advancement of technology and hand held tablet of smartphone. Assume they only use popular apps possibly up to two.

[LIZS]

How odd. dd uses programs like Evernote which she accesses at home via her Kindle but equally work on a pc/laptop. They use ipads at school.

[lljkk]

What kind of school is this?
Presumably they want something WiFi enabled, have they explained how it would be used? So a small notebook computer would do, too? Can't believe anyone is supposed to submit work via a phone, though! Takes me minutes to type a short paragraph on the tiny screen-buttons on DH iPhone using very tip of my fingernails.

[stripeylawn]

or not of.

[stripeylawn]

It's the local boys secondary and is a specialist maths and IT school, although I am told specialities don't always mean much.

[HmmAnOxfordComma]

How completely bizarre. Both the initial stipulation and the then lack of further detail or notice. Bonkers.

[pointythings]

Blimey, if DD1's school had tried this on I'd have told them what for... They specifically say that they would rather children did not have smart phones and tablets at school and that all IT use will be on school equipment and supervised.

It's also not very inclusive - what about parents who cannot afford all this stuff?

[lljkk]

DS attends a specialist math+IT secondary & no such req.

[Auntfini]

I would personally wait until you have more details. Do you know any other parents?

[Labro]

I'd contact the school by email and ask for more details as most of the teachers will be in now even though the children don't start back yet. Ds school use this sort of equipment but school supply it.

[stripeylawn]

Thanks all. I will contact the school on Monday.

[Anthracite]

Very strange to insist on students having smart phones, but to answer your question, the current fashion is a Samsung Ace.

[friday16]

Ask the question of what happens for pupils who are on FSM, looked after, etc.