Screen free schools Scotland

[Fibonacci1123]

Hi,

We have primary school aged kids. Our local primary school are giving all kids their own iPad from aged 8 years old. Children will do the majority of their work via an iPad.

As parents we don't agree with this and concerned about the impact it will have on our kids. We have tried to discuss our concerns with the school but to no avail. I do not wish to get drawn into a discussion regarding the pros and cons of screen time for young kids.

We are looking at moving but don't want to go somewhere with the same issues.

I would like to know there are screen free schools in other areas or Scotland?
We accept some time on computers a few hours per week or here and there to develop IT skills is useful but doing majority of schoolwork via an iPad is not something we want.
The only Screen free or traditional schools I can find online are Independent schools with significant fees.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Have you checked in reality how much time will really be spent on screens? We’re at an independent prep in England and the senior school is asking for the primary to spend more time on IT as this is how much is done now, and the there may well be moves towards exams being done online on the future too.

In reality, ours still write their stories and comprehensions etc and it’s other bits they do online - may be worth checking? I think screen free schools would leave your kids lacking in some ways what others have to create projects/PPTs etc they need…..and may well just be those with a lack of funding overall?

Look up Close Screens Open Minds on Instagram, a movement aiming to challenge increasing tech in schools. Some excellent talks on You Tube as well, only watched Q&A moderated by Hugh Grant so far.

Definitely not screen free classrooms in Scotland. I think it's a Scottish Government initiative to give all 10/11yo (P6) their own iPads over the next couple of years. Lots of areas have them already.

Thanks. I think it's a Scottish Government initiative aimed at closing the gap. I think it will close the gap in lowering the general standard.

I think it will be reversed but as they have invested so much money in it they won't back track for a few years yet.

I’ve never heard of a screen free school. My children are in state schools and the classrooms have smart boards from the start and then they get iPads as others mention. In high school they don’t have textbooks or anything, it’s all on the screen. So any state school should be the same.

we have some friends in independent schools and it’s more screen based at the ones we are aware of as the children all are required to have laptops. I would think anyone would and should be relying on them in high school as textbooks aren’t really a thing anymore.

My children barely used them in primary school however, outside everything being on the smart board. They go to a homework free school so maybe different at yours if they need to use them at home.

This is excellent. I have just watched some of their videos. Thank you so much.