Dyslexic child school not providing laptop

[Tulip450]

DS is starting secondary this week and needs a laptop to use in most lessons. In primary, school provided a chrome book when needed. His dyslexia report states that he needs to use a laptop for all writing tasks. I spoke to the SENCO and she said because he does not have an EHCP school does not have to provide him with a laptop and she encourages families to buy one for their child to use at school. We are not in a position to buy a laptop at the moment.
Has anyone had experience of secondary schools providing or not providing their dyslexic child with a laptop to use in school time? Thanks

The school must make reasonable adjustments and make their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN. Request a meeting with the SENCO and remind them what they must do. If they really can’t provide it, get it in writing and request an EHCNA. Depending on the specific situation and circumstances, it may be that it isn’t reasonable for the school to provide a laptop with their current funding (which is where an EHCP comes in because it is legally enforceable and can be funded). However, I would start by pushing the SENCO and if they genuinely can’t, they should be applying for high needs top up funding.