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

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.

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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.

Laptops are also not available for migrant children who are self-isolating following arrival in the UK.

Guidance states that devices can be ordered when a school has 15 or more children in years 3 to 11 self-isolating and “each has been exposed to a confirmed case outside the school community”.

They can also be accessed if a local health protection team has advised a group of children in years 3 to 11 not to attend school.

Devices will be allocated to schools based on the number of children in years 3 to 11, free school meals data and the approximate number of devices already owned by the school, the DfE said.

“This allocation can be used as part of preparing to deliver remote education. However, the exact number and type of devices available will be confirmed at the time of ordering based on stock availability and the extent of coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions,” the guidance states.

It comes following the introduction of new legislation meaning schools have a legal duty to provide remote education to pupils unable to attend.

Temporary legislation published by the DfE, under the Coronavirus Act 2020, states that all state-funded school-age children must be provided “immediate access to remote education” should they miss out on learning due to Covid-19.

The direction is designed “to provide legal certainty for all involved in the education sector” and makes clear “schools have a legal duty to provide remote education for state-funded, school-age children unable to attend school due to coronavirus,” DfE documents state.

The direction comes into force on 22 October and “will have effect until the end of the current school year, unless it is revoked by a further direction”.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, called on the government to provide more support for vulnerable children.

“This support package is necessary but not sufficient,” she said.

“This government is once again trying to cut corners over Covid. Schools were crying out for the right support for online learning throughout lockdown, not least for disadvantaged young people who did not have the right IT or wi-fi equipment at home that would have ensured a continuity and parity of learning. Prior to the lockdown, 700,000 children and young people did not have access to a digital device they could complete schoolwork on. Yet despite the government’s promises to provide laptops to ensure no child would be left behind, less than a third of those eligible received the equipment they needed to learn. 

“Now, the government is creating new barriers for children with its criteria for where schools are not permitted to order equipment, despite the obvious need. Having failed nearly half a million young people by not delivering on their promise, the government is trying to reframe their own failure by once again shifting the problem onto schools.

“If government facilitates the employment of more teachers – supply teachers and those recently qualified but not yet in work are ready and waiting – then class sizes can be reduced and fewer pupils will be put in situations where they need remote education,” Bousted said.