YEAR 7 AND 8 ICT PROVISION 2024 - 2025

Please read the following information to ensure that your daughter is appropriately equipped with a laptop or tablet device at the start of term in September. 

IPAD & ACCESSORIES

 

At St Mary’s we strongly support the educational benefits of using iPads for learning, both in the classroom and for independent work, and it is our policy that all Year 7 girls have their own iPad for educational purposes. In addition, we require the girls to have a keyboard case, a stylus, and a suitable set of headphones to support their learning.

 

In order to ensure that the girls’ experience and use of technology are consistent, secure, safe and centrally managed, the purchase and setup of the Year 7 iPads is coordinated by the school. We ask all Year 7 parents to purchase an iPad for their daughters through Albion, our chosen Apple authorised educational supplier and we will send you an email in the coming weeks with details about how to do this. In order that your daughter’s iPad is ready for her to use in September, the deadline for making the purchase is 1^st July 2024.

 

We are aware that iPads are alluring if not addictive for 11-year-olds (and indeed those of all ages!) and, while promoting their educational value, we do monitor and manage their screen time. We restrict the times that the girls can have their iPads in the evenings, and the content and apps available to them. We do not permit girls in Years 7 and 8 to use social media, streaming services and messaging services. Your daughter will, however, be able to email and Facetime family and friends in her free time.

 

The benefits for parents are:

• We manage the initial setup and configuration of the device on our school network.
• We purchase all apps required for school work.
• We take responsibility for managing any accidental damage, repairs or loss for two years through the insurance provided.
• We oversee all app installation and app usage.
• All direct access to the app store is removed.
• We set age-appropriate time restrictions on usage.
• We have ensured that your daughter is using her iPad appropriately at school.

 

The benefits for your daughter are:

• She has a uniform device which makes the school environment less competitive.
• She has the right functionality and apps for her school work.
• Her use of the iPad in her free time is fair and consistent with other pupils.
• Any technical issues are dealt with by the school’s IT Support department.
• Her iPad will be stored securely in a charging unit in her common room.
• A spare device can be issued if required.

 

The benefits for the school are:

• We can adapt quickly to any changes needed to the iPad, e.g. additional app installation, updates, or settings that need to be modified.
• Teachers can feel confident that the girls bring devices to their lessons that are reliable and not a distraction.
• Teachers can use the specific educational functionality Apple have integrated into the iPad.
• The everyday management of the devices is improved by a uniform approach.
• Any difficulties with devices can be resolved easily to minimise disruption to lessons.
• We comply with our e-safety responsibilities.

 

 

 

 

FAQS FOR PUPILS

 

Will I be able to download games?

No. The school may install games apps throughout the course of the year, particularly those of educational value.

 

Will I be able to play games at home?

Yes, via the web, according to your home internet restrictions.

 

Will I be able to have access to apps I currently have on other devices?

No. The iPad is managed by the school for educational purposes and therefore any apps already purchased on other devices will not be transferable to it.

 

Will I have access to music or film streaming apps such as Spotify and Netflix?

No. The minimum age restrictions for these services prevents us from allowing you to use them in Years 7 and 8 but the girls can listen to music via SMAS FM.

 

Can I store my music on my iPad?

No. However, girls may bring audio players that do not have screens or internet access.

 

Will these settings still apply when I take the iPad home?

Yes, although you may have different access to websites depending on how your parents have set up your internet connection at home.

 

How long will these settings be applied to my iPad?

These settings will apply throughout Years 7 and 8. In Year 9 the school hands over the responsibility of the device’s settings to your parents.

 

When can I have access to my iPad at school?

You will have access to your iPad throughout the school day, both in lessons and during your free time. We may ask you to leave your iPad in your common room when you do not need it. At the end of the day, the iPads are stored in charging trolleys in your common room before bedtime.

 

What will happen if my iPad breaks?

You will need to take it the school’s IT Support team, and they will arrange for it to be repaired.

 

Where and how will I store and charge my iPad?

You will store your iPad in a special charging trolley in your common room.

 

Can I choose the colour?

Yes, from the current choices that Apple offer for the model chosen.

 

Can I choose the case?

Yes, although, you may only choose from a range of suitable cases that are approved by our insurance provider.

 

 

 

FAQS FOR PARENTS

 

Why can’t I just use an existing iPad?

We would like your daughter’s experience of the iPad to be consistent, secure, safe and centrally managed. Therefore, we have further aligned our provision with Apple’s enrolment programme that gives us the control and technical tools needed to achieve this. Unfortunately, we cannot add previously purchased iPads onto these management systems.

 

How much will it cost me?

We have secured competitive pricing through our chosen supplier Albion who are Apple solution experts for education and Apple premium resellers. The cost will depend on the precise model you choose from those we offer. The price will include two years of warranty and accidental damage insurance cover. We also ask you to purchase a keyboard case and stylus from the options we offer. These cases meet the standards required for the accidental insurance cover and have a built-in keyboard which is required for school work.

 

Why does it cost more than if I buy it myself?

We have added a comprehensive insurance policy for the iPad. The actual unit cost of the iPad is cheaper than if you were to purchase it on the high street or from Apple directly. The insurance is also cheaper than the most popular schemes provided.

 

How will I pay for it?

We will recharge the overall cost of the iPad to your school bill.  Please speak to us if you would like to discuss payment options.

 

Who will pay for the apps?

The school will pay for and manage the installation of all the apps your daughter needs for school work.

 

Is the iPad insured?

Yes. We have secured a comprehensive accidental insurance for the iPad.  If the screen is accidentally damaged, the school’s IT Support team will arrange for an insurance claim to be made and for it to be repaired. The school has a supply of spare iPads, and your daughter will be provided with one of these, subject to availability, while the iPad is either repaired or replaced.

 

Do I have a choice of iPad model?

Yes, there is a selection of suitable models available. However, not all models are available e.g. the iPad mini as the screen size is too small, and we do not allow models with mobile data functionality. The minimum memory size required is 64GB. Your daughter will be able to choose the colour of iPad, e.g. space grey, gold, or silver.

 

When will the school remove restrictions?

School set restrictions are removed at the end of Year 8. We provide information and guidance about applying parental controls that you may wish to apply.

 

Will my daughter have access to her iPad at night?

No. The iPads are stored securely in specially designed charging trolleys before bedtime. These are locked and unlocked as necessary throughout the day.

 

When will my daughter receive her iPad?

Your daughter will be given her iPad in her Computer Science lesson, usually during the second week of term in September.

 

 

 

MOBILE PHONE USE

 

Our phone policy for girls in Years 7 and 8 is that they are not allowed smart phones in school. Instead, they are only allowed a simple phone that can make calls and send texts with a pay-as-you-go SIM or a Data-free Pay Monthly SIM.

 

The girls’ phones should have no internet access, so please choose a phone that doesn’t have a browser or WiFi connectivity.

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

 

Girls in Years 7 and 8 are not permitted any form of wearable technology in school.  Wearable technology includes any device that can connect to the internet, send, and receive data, or receive notifications: for example, smart watches, exercise and activity trackers, and digital glasses and earpieces.

 

 

IT SUPPORT AND ADVICE

 

Please contact our IT Support team for any queries or advice regarding technology for your daughter.

Email itsupport@st-marys-ascot.co.uk Phone 01344 296677