CYP Now - DfE restricts free laptops to schools with 15 or more pupils in self-isolation

Disadvantaged children at schools with fewer than 15 pupils in self-isolation will not benefit from free government laptops, new Department for Education guidance shows.

The government has announced a further 100,000 laptops for disadvantaged pupils. Picture: Adobe Stock

Earlier this week, the government announced 100,000 extra laptops for disadvantaged students, including care leavers, on top of 150,000 rolled out to Year 10 pupils before the summer holidays.

However, despite swathes of the UK currently subject to local lockdown restrictions due to spikes in Covid-19 infections, new guidance states the devices cannot be ordered when there are fewer than 15 children with coronavirus symptoms self-isolating within a school “and no broader recommendations to a ‘bubble’ or year group”.

Secondary schools in areas where tier two restrictions for local lockdowns have been applied, forcing them to implement a rota system providing allocated on-site provision alongside remote education, are also exempt from ordering extra devices.

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