Your teachers are very happy for you to use your laptop in their lessons and for producing all written homework tasks. However, it is essential you follow these simple requirements:

• Your laptop MUST be fully charged as you will not be allowed to plug it in during lessons. It is your responsibility to charge it at home, overnight.

• It is your responsibility to save all work on your laptop appropriately.

• It is your responsibility to print out any homework so it can be handed in on time and in the required format (a minimum of 12 point font and double spaced unless otherwise instructed).

• You must make sure that your laptop is on mute and all recording devices are disabled.

• You are allowed to use only authorised software and in lessons you may not use your laptop to access the internet without staff permission. You must be aware that all internet traffic is monitored and that the School’s internet usage policy applies on all machines used in School.

• Email and Office 365 tools (SharePoint, OneDrive) can be accessed using any web browser.

• The owner of the laptop is solely responsible for how the laptop is used regardless of who is actually using it.

• It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the laptop is insured and that it is safe and secure whilst in school.

This code of practice is in addition to the School’s ICT Acceptable Use Policy. The laptop is not to be used for any illegal activity, peer to peer file sharing, hacking or cracking the network and downloading large files.

By signing this code of practice, you are agreeing to follow these basic requirements so that your laptop will be a help rather than a hindrance, both to yourself and to your teachers. .

Criteria for the use of a laptop as a normal way of working in school:

• A student needs an Educational Psychologist’s report recommending the use of a laptop, or a recommendation from the School’s Head of Learning Support.

• Parents must ensure that the student has reached the required standard in touch typing and laptop use as set out by the school.

• Students’ own laptops may be used in school. This is understood to be at the parents’ risk and therefore it is recommended that parents ensure that the laptop is permanently marked and appropriately insured.

• Students are responsible for the safety and security of the laptop whilst in school.

• Students may use school laptops designated for exam use (JCQ Special Arrangements, p54, 5.8).They will not be able to use spell checker (unless they qualify for a scribe), thesaurus or have network/internet access. Exam papers will be printed out at school.

• Students may only use laptops in exams where it has been their normal way of working.

• Other than exams, it is the responsibility of the student to print out work and stick it in their exercise book or put it in their files in an appropriate format.

• Parents must ensure that laptops are fully charged for the start of each school day.

• All laptop power supplies, if required, should be PAT tested by the school Estates staff before being used at school.

Student Laptop Specifications

Students who require a laptop for use in school do not need a specific brand but it should meet the following requirements to ensure it is a practical and compatible solution.

• Screen Size – 11” to 15.62”

• Weight – no more than c. 2.2kg

• Operating system – Microsoft Windows 10

• Applications – Microsoft Word, Anti-Virus program.

Parents should consider carefully the durability of any laptop build for handling the wear and tear of a school environment and for carrying the laptop around the school.