Laptops and tablets for children

Laptops and tablets for children who cannot attend school due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Dear parent/carer

We have had a number of enquiries regarding devices for children at home who are not attending school due to the current national lockdown.

Previously we have been allocated a number of devices and wrote to eligible parents to register their interest.  We are now in the process of contacting those registered parents to discuss their needs and organise their allocation.

Eligibility for a device is set out below and full information on the government led scheme can be found here.

At this time, we are working to organise paper-based work packs for children who cannot access remote learning via Google Classroom and we will notify you by email and text when these packs are ready.

As you will see from the link above, the laptops and tablets scheme is still not yet fully rolled out and the devices we currently hold have already been allocated to those parents/carers who registered last term.

If and when further devices are made available to school, we will contact you with information on how to register for a device.

Thank you

Who can get laptops and tablets

Schools will be able to order an allocation of devices for:

• disadvantaged children* in years 3 to 11 (this will be years 3 to 6 in our school context) who do not have access to a device and whose face-to-face education is disrupted
• disadvantaged children* in any year group who have been advised to shield because they (or someone they live with) are clinically extremely vulnerable
• disadvantaged children* in any year group attending a hospital school

This offer applies to maintained schools, pupil referral units, academy trusts and hospital schools, as well as sixth-form colleges who have enrolled 14 to 16-year-olds.

Disadvantaged children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are included within this offer. However, if specialist support and equipment is required help may be available through the Family Fund.

Parents, carers and pupils cannot apply for digital devices or internet access through this scheme themselves. They should contact their school to discuss requirements for accessing remote education.

*The DfE states that 'disadvantaged pupils' are:

• Pupils in year groups reception to year 11 recorded as 'ever 6 free school meals (FSM)'
• Looked after children (LAC), defined in the Children Act 1989 as one who is in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English local authority (LA)
• Children who have ceased to be looked after by an LA in England and Wales because of adoption, a special guardianship order, or a child arrangements order (previously known as a residence order)