School laptop costs

[RjMuk]

DS is going into year 7. His school has sent out comms saying it is compulsory to purchase a school laptop. £618 up front or spread over monthly payments with interest. We have been told that we have to purchase this, though those eligible for free schools meals will be provided for. I am greatly concerned about access to education and adding in a financial barrier to accessing class/in person education. I have been told that my son will not get same education if we don't purchase it. Has anyone else had this? Does anyone else want to set up a campaign asking the government to properly fund schools digital policy, provide policy on what schools are allowed to do, and ensure access to education remains without a financial barrier?

If it’s compulsory for education, it should be provided.

Yes. School said it isn't. But have now said it's compulsory.

What sort of school is this and where? My DC’s school certainly never required a laptop.

In the US, the schools give out Google Chromebooks, which are much cheaper than Windows laptops.

What country are you in? This is unlawful in the UK as schools are not allowed to charge for the supply of equipment, but agree it is hard to get around if that's the school policy/there is no money. (see page 4 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5af99c8ae5274a25e78bbe30/Charging_for_school_activities.pdf)

If you are in the UK, you can ask what plans are in place to ensure children who cannot afford them are not disadvantaged, and you can report to Ofsted as an unreasonable demand.

Write to the school to ask-

• What support is available for families who cannot afford the required laptop.
• How the school intends to ensure that pupils whose families cannot purchase the specified device are able to complete homework and participate fully in the curriculum without disadvantage.

Our concern is that a compulsory requirement of this cost creates a significant financial barrier to accessing the curriculum. We hope the school can work with us to find a reasonable and affordable solution that enables our child to participate fully in their education.

This is great thank you. There have now said it is compulsory but provide for those who meet financial criteria. Won't reply on access to education being free at point of service.

The school I work at has decided against using laptops in lessons as all the research shows that kids learn better when they write things out in exercise books.

I can't get any traction on this with the school, they have said they've checked with lawyers and it doesn't contradict guidance or the education act. I have asked how my kid will be taught if we don't purchase one and won't meet financial help criteria and they got cross, said he'll get a school laptop and that it won't be as good and will affect his learning. I asked if they need to move to using laptops and they have a presentation based on surveying the kids that show it benefits them and so they've made the right decision.

Then I would report of Ofsted for guidance as it does counter the education act.

My son's prep school did this but we had to pay £800 up front as his came from the learning support office. The other boys' laptops were cheaper and could be paid in installments!

Is this a state school in England?

I would write to your MP to intervene.

lol they're having a laugh! Formal complaint time.

Yes a state school. And I have but they have only written to secretary of state. Nothing that will help me now. And apparently lots of local schools are doing it. It seems to be a policy grey area as chief inspector of ofsted said last year that schools should not be doing this. But schools are and my DS school says they checked with solicitors and this is all allowed as long as they provide for those who meet financial eligibility criteria.

You are obviously welcome to set up a campaign to ask the government, but this is very specific to your school as no schools anywhere near me do this.

Is there a school Facebook page you can join to see how others are feeling?

No and most parents here don't care. At least the ones at same stage. Others I speak to are worried. It's not national yet but it is spreading from the research I have done so far. That's why I was thinking national campaign.

Schools say their lawyers say all kinds of shit. Try asking coram child law advice, they offer free advice https://childlawadvice.org.uk/

https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/charging-for-school-activities/

That’s very expensive for a school laptop. My kids school recommends ASUS Expertbooks. About £300 each. But there are alternate options including bring your own and iPads.

A local Academy Trust bankrupted themselves and part of this was a huge spend on laptops for every child. These were provided but it was found the children (secondary) bypassed the school controls and messed about on games in lessons.

Another reason why education tech should be kept to a minimum. Another argument to put forward aside form financial burden on parents.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/big-academy-trust-given-1-5m-government-loan-to-stay-afloat/

My son had free school meals and also got his laptop free from the school. About 10 years ago. School should provide one??

They provide it for those that meet eligibility criteria. My argument is that they are making school acceiable through payment so if you don't meet the criteria, they are saying it is compulsory to pay. But won't engage with state education being free to access. I have no further recourse with them as they don't want to discuss it, and to be fair, it seems lots of schools are doing it. So I'm trying to get attention to it. Written to MP, ofsted now, emailed the law charity above for advice, written to local councillors. Not had much so far so wondering if others have experienced it or are concerned it could happen. And then also whether a parliamentary petition will get any traction.

My DC's academy provides iPads for students, although I'm not particularly keen on the arrangement. The lease costs around £50 per month. Students use the iPads both in school and at home for classwork, homework, and revision, and they are not permitted to use them for personal entertainment. We don't own the iPad at the end of the lease.

My dc school use iPads he’s now year 10 and we have finished paying for it at the start of year 10 and it’s ours to keep.

I chucked your info into ChatGPT (I said you’re my friend, otherwise it thinks it’s me and will refer to it in other questions I might have in the future 😂). It said this:

The short answer is: it may be lawful in some circumstances, but the school cannot simply make education conditional on a parent buying an expensive device if that creates a barrier to accessing the curriculum.
In England, state-funded schools must provide free education. If a laptop is genuinely essential to access lessons, the school needs to ensure pupils can access one regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. While schools can ask parents to contribute or participate in schemes, they cannot effectively exclude a child from learning because the family cannot afford a device.
A few things stand out from what you’ve described:

• £618 is a significant cost. Requiring every family to purchase a specific laptop is likely to raise questions about affordability.
• Providing laptops only to pupils eligible for free school meals doesn’t necessarily solve the issue. Many families are not eligible for free school meals but still cannot afford a £618 purchase.
• If parents are being told their child “will not get the same education” without buying the laptop, that is concerning. If the laptop is essential for classroom teaching, the school should have arrangements in place so every pupil can participate.

It also depends on the type of school:

• State schools are subject to rules about charging and providing free education.
• Academies have more flexibility in some areas, but they still receive public funding and must not create unreasonable barriers to accessing education.

Your friend could ask the school:

• Is the purchase genuinely compulsory, or is participation in the scheme optional?
• What happens if a family cannot afford the laptop but is not eligible for free school meals?
• Will the school loan a device free of charge?
• Is there a hardship fund or other financial assistance available?
• Under what policy or legal authority is the purchase being required?

If the school cannot provide a satisfactory answer, your friend can:

1. Ask for a copy of the school’s charging and remissions policy.
2. Raise the matter with the headteacher.
3. If unresolved, complain to the governing body or academy trust.
4. If necessary, seek advice from the local authority (for maintained schools) or the trust and, ultimately, the Department for Education.

Based on what you’ve written, I would be particularly concerned by the statement that a child who does not purchase the laptop will receive a poorer education. If that is exactly what was communicated, your friend should keep copies of the emails or letters, as the wording could be important. If you can tell me:

• Is it a state school, academy, or independent school?
• Which country of the UK is it in (England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland)?

I can give more specific guidance based on the relevant law and government guidance.

Can’t you get a cheaper, 2nd hand laptop?