Laptop for starting secondary school?

[Bemyclementine]

Dc1 starts in sept. All homework is online.

We dont have a laptop or pc in the house.

No budget at all so will need something cheap but equally don't want to waste money on something crap!

What are others doing? Is there a budget laptop that will do the job?

Do you know anyone with an older child at the school who could give you an idea of the type of software that’s needed. E.g. is it all on an internet browser? Would Google docs work? Or, it might be that the homework is listed online, but it says “Do the questions on page 135 of your textbook”, with answers in their exercise book.

Do you have an iPad or similar? It might be possible to get a Bluetooth keyboard to use with it, depending on the type of homework.

Dell are solid. Refurbished

Agree with UpDownAllAround1

In your case, get onto Dell and the refurbs are fine.

But if you do have an ipad, my son's just going into sixth form and has used an ipad with keyboard throughout his school life (his school uses Google Workspace) - he only had to have a laptop for exams as he has a typing accommodation. My friend's child had to have a specific device at their school though - so before you buy anything check what the school actually requires as PP said

Does the school offer something for low incomes? Also check to see if there is a local charity that could help. Once you have checked the requirements e.g. Windows, Chromebook, iPad or Android tablet then look for a refurbished model or student discount. Microsoft 365 (office) is free for students.

Thank you. There is definitely some 100% online stuff, Sparks I think was mentioned?

Other DC has an ipad but DC1 will need something else. I will ask a parent, cant find anything on the school website.

What does the homework actually entail?

DD’s is all online, but that’s just the tasks . Some might be apps like Seneca, Dr Frost etc. Some are just instructions “finish the worksheet started in class today, write a paragraph about.., make a poster about “ or guidance in the form of PowerPoints , slides knowledge notes/organisers. Very few things actually needed to be submitted online. None of it actually required a laptop necessarily (some were just clearer/better spacing, placement on a laptop ). All doable on a phone , but quite tricky/fiddly and not easy on the eye, and definitely accessible on a tablet if he has one of those.

@Bemyclementine would the school help towards the cost/provide the laptop? My eldest son had one through senior school which the school provided

Can you check what the school use? My DS school is all Chromebooks so homework is set on Google classroom etc so would be easier to align with what they use. My LA actually give all school kids Chromebooks to take home so worth checking if you actually have to buy one. Obviously this is a council device so subject to the normal restrictions and oversight......

Ask the school if they can loan you one- I have done this for my DC (they are not pupil premium students).

Can you find out what is needed? My DC didn't need a laptop in Year 7, they just needed to access the homework tasks and use online apps (which they could do via your phone if they don't have one of their own) and then do homework on paper. If they have to type up homework tasks or read extensive materials or submit online, a laptop becomes more important.

If you do end up getting a laptop I'd look at refurbished ones on ebay. They are not nothing but much cheaper than buying new and last well.

The other option is to see whether the school offers access to the computer rooms at school for students to complete homework, although that is likely to be limited hours.

Our high school actually gives all students a chrome book. Can you check whether this is the case for you?

Ask the school if they offer a pay weekly for an iPad or something. My daughter's high school do this and I pay a few quid a month for her iPad. It is monitored and managed by school until she leaves but homework is all she uses it for anyway. School set hers up with her school accounts

This is a really good idea 👍

Same here. My DS is going into y10 and has never used a laptop. They also use Seneca and Dr Frost and he does it on his phone. However they do also do some paper homework.

We do have a lap top ds can use when he needs to but re your son, I would see how the first couple of months goes using a phone or tablet and then maybe get something on a Black Friday deal if it is essential.

Oh yes sorry if I wasn’t clear, the vast majority of homework is actually on paper/in her books, the instructions /aids are online on the app. Can’t say we ever had anything where a laptop was absolutely necessary. If there’s ever a mention of typing up work(very rarely), that’s optional /an adjustment for pupils rather than a requirement.

The library will be open after school every day, if your DC doesn't want to work in their lunch or at break. Just make sure the head of year knows that's what they need to do. Having a computer will make it easier, but it's not essential

Have they specifically told you that you need a laptop?

My dd does all of her homework on her phone via various apps. She’s just finished Y8. We have sometimes used a laptop, but honestly, there was nothing that couldn’t be done on a decent enough smartphone as long as you have access to things like pages/word/google drive and PowerPoint/keynote.

At GCSE level, yes, but I wouldn’t stress about it now if money is tight.

TBH mine doesn't use their laptop much, most stuff can be done on their phone or there is always homework club after school so they can do it at school if need be. I'd maybe wait and see if it's really necessary before getting one that ends up collecting dust.

I got a refurbished Dell from eBay for work and it's perfectly acceptable. We bought our daughter a MacBook for starting high school as she has an iPhone and Apple Watch so thought it would work for school and outside of school for messaging, video editing, organising photos etc. however that is NOT budget friendly at all. To be honest a lot of her friends have older iPhones and somehow manage to do all their homework on their phones. They use Microsoft Teams and have a 365 account for everything at their school. If you don't think a phone would work, in your position I would go with refurb or second hand Dell (I'm sure other brands are reliable too but my experience with Dell has been good so far) or what about an older model second hand iPad with a compatible keyboard, we got compatible iPad keyboards that are pretty decent for about £30 on Amazon. With Apple products they do hold their resale value well, so if you got an older model you could update it every year or two and sell the old one?

My daughter's school uses Sparks as well as Teams and Microsoft. I would say Sparks you can definitely do on a Smart Phone. The Teams stuff a lot of the kids definitely do just on their phones (I'd say about 60% of the parents I have asked) but personally I don't think that's ideal. However it is definitely doable, and if you aren't able to provide a laptop, or don't want to, that would be perfectly fine in my opinion.

you should raise with the school to give her paper based homework. All private schools are limiting the amount of work done on line as they realised it is not good for kids, kids learn less and results are lower. Ask them to print everything for your kid and really go away from on line as they all know is crap.

I dont want homework to be done on a phone, I really want something seperate to phone/gaming, but need a budget friendly idea. I will look at refurbished Dell thanks for the suggestion.

Argos do some decent cheap laptops for less than 200.

We asked staff and a few students at the open day and transition day about what they use.

We got an Asus Vivobook in the end.

Dd does sparx maths and English on her phone. We bought her a laptop for Xmas after she started as we were not sure what she needed. She used mine if needed before then. She does not use it much but it will do her for the future. I got this one when it was reduced in November.