By Gavin Mackintosh-
The British government has bought a further 100,000 laptops for schools to aid disadvantaged pupils who have no access to laptops.
The decision which should be exciting schools and headteachers is instead causing confusion and discontent among school leaders. The Department for Education today told schools that a new approach introduced after half term which will ensure a more effective allocation of laptops tar children, schools, and areas of the country that have greatest need”.
Although 105, 000 laptops were allocated to schools in September, under the new system, schools will now only be able to claim around 20 per cent of what they’ve been allocated. That’s because they will need to prove that pupils claiming the laptops need them.
The support will be available to schools that are fully closed for a “sustained period” to ensure enough devices to meet the needs of all disadvantaged pupils in year 3 to 11 who don’t have a laptop.
Schools that aren’t fully closed but believe they have a “strong need”, can also request more devices. The ordering process will be suspended over half term before the new changes come in.
Specific Requirements
Pupil’s access to the laptops is subject to specific requirements, such as schools having at least 15 pupils self-isolating to make an order.
The move has annoyed headteachers, especially given a new legal duty to provide immediate remote education for any pupils off because of Covid.
Headteacher Chris Dyson said the decision communicated to heads on Friday evening, was “clueless”. His allocation was cut from 61 to just 13.
In an email sent to the DfE in response, he wrote: “You disgust me with the contempt you show disadvantaged schools. I am embarrassed to have you leading us. You are inadequate in every single way and should feel disgusted with yourselves.” Another disappointed head, Vic Goddard, said the U turn was “disgraceful” “Make a headline and then change the decision. Happening over and over again
A DfE spokesperson said: “As we move into half term, and in the context of significant global demand, we’re updating our allocation process to more accurately align orders with the number of students schools typically have self-isolating, ensuring as many children as possible benefit from receiving a device this term.
“We have purchased an additional 96,000 devices and continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure delivery despite the increased global demand.”
The government has pledged to provide devices for disadvantaged children in years 3 to 11 who don’t have access to one and whose face-to-face education has been disrupted.
Other disadvantaged pupils eligible are those in any year group who have been advised to shield because they or someone they live with are clinically extremely vulnerable or those in any year group attending a hospital school.
Access to the laptops is subject to specific requirements, such as schools having at least 15 pupils self-isolating to make an order.
Since September, 105,508 laptops have already been distributed under the scheme.
That’s on top of the more than 220,000 devices, and 50,000 4G wireless routers, handed to academy trusts and councils last academic year. However the government failed to meet its target of delivering the laptops by the end of June.
Under the new system, schools that are fully closed for a “sustained period” will get support from regional schools commissioners to ensure they get enough devices to meet the needs of all disadvantaged pupils in year 3 to 11 who don’t have a laptop.
Schools that aren’t fully closed but believe they have a “strong need”, can also request more devices. The ordering process will be suspended over half term before the new changes come in.
The announcement brings the government’s investment in laptops for schools to nearly £200 million.
It also comes the day after a new legal duty was put on schools to provide “immediate access to remote education” should a pupil miss school due to coronavirus.
Nick Brook, deputy general secretary at the NAHT school leaders’ union, said on Saturday: “The government has been quick to mandate what it expects schools to be able to do when it comes to remote learning, but is clearly unable to deliver the necessary tools that schools and their pupils need.
“It beggars belief that within 24 hours of making immediate access to remote learning a legal requirement, the government has announced that it is reducing the number of laptops schools are eligible to receive.”