WHAT TRUST HAD TO SAY
THE de Ferrers Academy Trust said its £68-a-term ipad scheme across its secondary schools had proven “invaluable”. De Ferrers Academy Trust chief executive Kathy Hardy said: “We are very proud of our ipad programme, it proved to be invaluable throughout the pandemic.
“The requested parental contribution to the ipad programme amounts to the equivalent of just £1.30 per week. We have been running the programme in our Trust schools for 10 years, with over 3,500 secondary students participating. The overall feedback we have received from our families has been very positive.
“Students who are entitled to free school meals are subsidised using a small percentage of the Pupil Premium funding we receive, therefore parents are not expected to make a contribution to the purchase of an ipad. Since the introduction of this personal device for students, we have seen a considerable difference to the progress and organisation of work for students, especially benefiting those students who are classed as special educational needs.”
She said the scheme had improved social mobility, rather than restricted it. She added: “Allowing students to be able to access the device for their learning has removed some of the traditional barriers and ensured digital equity for all students.
“It also gives students the ability to study digital resources and personalise study/enhance learning and communication from anywhere, at any time. This improves their social mobility, rather than restricting it.”
She said homework can be completed online through a phone, tablet or computer a household already owns and that households without the internet, or with limited access, can use school computers at a homework club. Mrs Hardy said families in need of support could make smaller regular payments instead and some fees had been waived.
She said the academy trust had removed branding from some of its items in order to reduce costs, with discounts for families eligible for pupil premium. She did not comment on the justification for charging parents for the technology, uniform or other school activities.