Laptop scheme went tits-up as DfE thought schools already had loads

[noblegiraffe]

Schools were asked to assess how many laptops they needed for their disadvantaged kids and were frustrated when they received nowhere near that many (and right at the end of term too).

The reason for the inadequate provision appears to be that the DfE assumed that schools already had 280 devices knocking around and were taking the piss by asking for more.

They understand that they’ve underfunded schools for a decade now, right?

schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-assumed-schools-had-280-devices-each-before-deciding-free-laptop-allocations/

Dh's school had 4

They were then allocated 8 by Dfe - so he duly delivered them to people around London during lockdown

They then got 8 again - FOR THE SAME PUPILS (as they were in care and it could be taken from SS budget)

So he went out AGAIN to pick up the first lot, gave them the new ones

And hoped he would be allowed to reallocate the original 8 (don't ask why he wasn't 'allowed' to use the new 8/didn't have to pick up the original 8 as I glazed over when all this shit was happening but trust me there was a reason)

They eventually argued that they could keep ALL 16 in their school community

Over 1200 pupils - they need another 156 laptops (conservatively, not accounting for others to go wrong)

TOTAL SHIT SHOW

I’m embarrassed to be working in education at the moment. We had five allocated and they arrived just before the end of term. Our local community and a kind tech firm donated far more, as did a local charity.

It's so sad. That was a truly useful initiative, handled so badly.