Technology

Introduction to the Device Purchase Scheme – Years 3 and 4

In 2023, following extensive work with pupils, teachers and informed by visits to other schools, we took the decision to standardise on the Lenovo ‘convertible’ laptop as the preferred the device for all pupils in Prep School (Years 3-6).  The device is cost effective, manageable size and weight, reliable and has excellent writing and drawing support.  This supports our objectives to continually transform and improve teaching and learning through considered use of the Microsoft Teams environment and in particular the OneNote ‘digital exercise book’ approach.

For the first time this year we are extending the requirement down to those who are joining Year 3 in September 24 as well as those moving from Year 3 to Year 4.  This will give the children access to an up-to-date device at home and at school from the start of Prep years. We anticipate a single device will serve the children well throughout their Year 3-6 journey. Bringing the scheme forward a year does not mean that these young children will switch to learning in a totally digital environment. We will continue to utilise a range of teaching and learning methods, of which the digital environment will be one, to ensure the children’s broad and balanced educational experience.

As pupils prepare to join the Prep school in September 2024 we’d like to provide you with further details of the scheme for the purchase of these devices.  Following a rigorous tender process we have selected Easy4U (Class Technology Solutions) as our partner for the scheme and to provide you, the pupils and the school with excellent support throughout the purchase, delivery and subsequent support of the device.

The Lenovo can be considered as a premium device, but we continue to believe that it is the most appropriate.  Its ability to operate both as a laptop and a tablet is important to support both formal use (writing, researching topics) but also interactive use where materials are annotated, modified, shared and projected in a dynamic and flexible classroom or learning space.  We know that many pupils entering Year 3 may be considered ‘digital natives’ but still have very limited exposure to keyboards and in particular to the MS Office suite.  During Year 3 pupils will be steadily introduced to their devices, its power and functions – not only doing ‘real work’ during Year 3 but also preparing them for later years in school.

We consider it essential for effective classroom learning that pupils have consistent devices at this age and that those devices are of sufficient quality.  It is also essential that they are configured with the correct software, that they operate seamlessly with the school network, and that they carry the right tools for maintaining security and controlling access to internet resources in line with our safeguarding processes.

The scheme operated by Easy4U enables you to purchase a device for your child which will:

• Meet the specification agreed as appropriate for our classroom use and for use at home and away – including a tablet format to enable easy writing and sketching.
• Last the pupil for the full 3 or 4 years of prep school.
• Be configured to connect to the school’s network and our safety and security systems.
• Have all of the software required for learning pre-installed and ready to go.
• Be configured with management software which allow us to easily deploy new software as requirements change over time.
• Be covered by full warranty for repair for the duration of the rental period.
• Be covered by an appropriate level of insurance for damage, loss and theft.

All devices will come as a complete package include stylus, keyboard, full waterproof case, configuration and warranty and support.  Devices must be ordered before 30 June 2024 and will be delivered to school for final testing during August and issued to all pupils during the first few days of term.  At this point we’ll make sure they connect to our systems, provide some initial coaching for pupils at that point, some advice on staying safe on-line, advice on connecting to home wi-fi.

Purchase and rental options have been developed and tailored to suit our families’ differing circumstances such as the number of years remaining before a child leaves the school. Parents may opt to purchase the Lenovo outright or select a rental scheme with different payment plans over 2, 3  or 4 years. Both purchase and rental options include a full support plan with a choice of contract lengths. Purchase prices start at £649.10, depending on the tenure of support needed, and rental charges start at just £17.55 per month.

The link below will take you to further details of the scheme provided by Easy4U and from there a link to the purchasing portal.

Please note that all orders for devices must be placed by 30 June 2024.

CLICK HERE to read the Easy4u instructions on ordering your device

Devices will all be delivered to school during the summer, prepared and checked, and issued to pupils during the first few days of autumn term.

Devices can of course be used at home, and we will provide advice on connecting to your home Wi-Fi as well as guidance on keeping your children safe on-line.

Introduction to the Device Purchase Scheme – Senior School

In 2023, following extensive work with pupils, teachers and informed by visits to other schools, we took the decision to standardise on the Microsoft Surface Pro as the preferred the device for all pupils in Senior School (Years 7-11).  The device is high performance, reliable and has excellent writing and drawing support.  This supports our objectives to continually transform and improve teaching and learning through considered use of the Microsoft Teams environment and in particular the OneNote ‘digital exercise book’ approach.

As pupils prepare to join the Senior school in September 2024 we’d like to provide you with further details of the scheme for the purchase of these devices.  Following a rigorous tender process we have selected Easy4U (Class Technology Solutions) as our partner for the scheme and to provide you, the pupils and the school with excellent support throughout the purchase, delivery and subsequent support of the device.

The Surface Pro can be considered a relatively ‘high-end’ (or expensive) device, but we continue to believe that it is the most appropriate.  Its ability to operate both as a laptop and a tablet is important to support both formal use (essay writing, spreadsheet modelling) but also interactive use where materials are annotated, modified, shared and projected in a dynamic and flexible classroom or learning space.  We are offering both 8GB and 16GB versions of the device – those who are likely to take more resource ‘hungry’ courses such as photography, computing, art, DT, or media are highly recommended to take the higher specification option.  This specification will also better suit many pupils as resource demands grow inevitably over 5 years and with a rental cost difference of less than £2 per month, we consider this an attractive option.

We consider it essential for effective classroom learning that pupils have consistent devices at this age and that those devices are of sufficient quality.  It is also essential that they are configured with the correct software, that they operate seamlessly with the school network, and that they carry the right tools for maintaining security and controlling access to internet resources in line with our safeguarding processes.

The scheme operated by Easy4U enables you to purchase a device for your child which will:

• Meet the specification agreed as appropriate for our classroom use and for use at home and away – including a tablet format to enable easy writing and sketching.
• Last the pupil for the full 5 years of senior school.
• Be configured to connect to the school’s network and our safety and security systems.
• Have all of the software required for learning pre-installed and ready to go.
• Be configured with management software which allow us to easily deploy new software as requirements change over time.
• Be covered by full warranty for repair for the duration of the rental period.
• Be covered by an appropriate level of insurance for damage, loss and theft.

All devices will come as a complete package include stylus, keyboard, full folio case, configuration and warranty and support.  Devices must be ordered before 30^th June 2024 and will be delivered to school for final testing during August and issued to all pupils during the first few days of term.  At this point we’ll make sure they connect to our systems, provide some initial coaching for pupils at that point, some advice on staying safe on-line, advice on connecting to home wi-fi.

Purchase and rental options have been developed and tailored to suit our families’ differing circumstances such as the number of years remaining before a child leaves the school. Parents may opt to purchase a Surface Pro 9 outright or select a rental scheme with different payment plans over 2, 3, 4 or 5 years. Both purchase and rental options include a full support plan with a choice of contract lengths. Purchase prices start at £1,514.60, depending on the tenure of support needed, and rental charges start at £32.70 per month.

The link below will take you to further details of the scheme provided by Easy4U and from there a link to the purchasing portal.

Existing Devices

While the school is keen for pupils in Years 7-11 to move to the Surface Pro 9 in September 2024, we appreciate that, for some families, it has not been long since they purchased a Lenovo 11 device. Please be assured the school does not expect early transfer and pupils can continue to use their Lenovo 11, which will remain fully supported up to the end of its 3-year life.

Please note that all orders for devices must be placed by 30 June 2024.

CLICK HERE to read the Easy4u instructions on ordering your device

Devices will all be delivered to school during the summer, prepared and checked, and issued to pupils during the first few days of autumn term.

Devices can of course be used at home, and we will provide advice on connecting to your home Wi-Fi as well as guidance on keeping your children safe on-line.

Pupils in the sixth form will continue to need a device both in school and away.  However, we believe that pupils at this stage in their education should be encouraged to take ownership of the choice of technology which suits them and their learning – and aspirations for life after school.

To this end we operate a full ‘bring your own device’ scheme.  Pupils should choose their own device and bring that into school.  The choice of device might be guided by the subject they study – many students studying Art, Media or similar subjects might choose Apple Macbook; those studying computing or DT might choose very high end devices, those studying humanities might choose lightweight but simple laptops.  Some may choose to use a tablet in school and a desktop at home.

We do consider it very important, however, that the device chosen includes a tablet and pen mode – our styles of teaching will continue to require students to annotate and write on documents on screens and maintain their handwriting as well as keyboard skills.

Equally, the Easy4U scheme remains open to parents of pupils entering the 6^th form and a Surface Pro provides an excellent device for most subjects and, moreover, a device which will serve them well in their first few years of Higher Education.