In an age where digital access is as important to a child’s learning as access to a pencil, then it’s perhaps little wonder that there have emerged a number of different device ownership models over the years. From central government-funded laptop programmes like Computers for Pupils and Becta Home Access, through to smartphone BYOD programmes and trolleys full of tablets shared across classrooms - we’ve seen it all over the years. One programme that’s stood the test of time, and is seemingly more popular than ever, are school run 1:1 parental device programmes. 

 

What is a 1:1 parental device programme?

In a nutshell, parents of pupils can make a monthly payment to get access to a personalised learning device that their child can not only use in school, but take home with them too. Devices usually come with a carry backpack, an insurance and warranty service pack to protect against the rigours of school life.

The device terms are either 12, 24 or 36 months and usually parents can make a small final payment to keep the device at the end of the term. Furthermore, there are no credit checks for parents, as each programme is underwritten by a master lease that the school takes out. The programmes are designed to bridge the gap between students' personal devices and EdTech to support lesson delivery and complete homework.

 

Why are 1:1 device programmes more popular in schools today?

Such programmes became popular a decade or so ago. But are undoubtedly on the rise due to a few key factors:

Budgets and the economy: Schools battle on with budgets that are seemingly static, while faced with a classic list of needs that have remained just as static, or has even grown in some cases, over the years. This means funding the latest learning devices to replace an ageing fleet has been getting progressively harder over recent years. 

From a parents’ perspective, the inflationary rises seen over recent months have caused havoc with the cost of living. Around 14.4 million people were living in poverty in 2021/2022, and it’s hard to imagine that number having improved in more recent times. 

Digital inclusion: Nowadays, digital resources and curriculum software is found in every school. Homework is often set and submitted through M365 Classroom, or Google Classroom, and in addition to the curriculum apps and games-based learning tools that schools have come to rely on and students have come to enjoy, most of which are cloud-based. Then  there are parental engagement apps, attendance gateways and portals, payment. Essentially all school life for students and parents in a modern UK school is managed online. 

All this means students need digital access at home. But as long as there have been learning devices, there have been gaps in equitable digital access. During the pandemic many schools loaned out kit to anyone who needed it, charities and benefactors stepped in to provide new and used kit  and in addition the DfE distributed kit country-wide. However, with 4.2 million children living in poverty in the UK, it’s easy to see why this is still a priority. 

Cyber security and safety: Concerningly, the education sector has experienced a 44% increase in cyber-attacks last year, catalogued in detail by the LGfL/NCSC report in early 2023. This is one of a number of factors that make schools lukewarm at best regarding students bringing in their own unmanaged devices from home and connecting to school networks. Not to mention the broader issues we face as a society when it comes to safeguarding children online.

 

Advantages of 1:1 device programmes in schools

So what is it that’s switching schools on to 1:1 device programmes after all these years? There are three main drivers.

Cost effective for schools and parents: From a school perspective, one of the main advantages is undoubtedly that they get to free up some of their budget to spend on other parts of running a school. If a typical 1000 pupil secondary school was to purchase a device outright for each of its students it could be in the region of half a million pounds worth of investment. 

From a parents’ point of view, they get to give their child a brand new device that’s been purchased with education discounts, and using educational software licences, all of which save them money. Not to mention the volume discounts enjoyed and no-quibble accidental damage.

Equitable access for all: Educators tell us that for the devices to actually be delivering benefits to teaching and learning they need to know every child has access to one in a lesson. Otherwise, teachers lose faith in the programme as they plan lessons around offline content and learning materials to accommodate the absence of devices on desks.

1:1 parental devices programmes are equitable by design. There are a number of ways to configure a programme to ensure that families who cannot afford to opt-in to the programme can still get access to a learning device. This means that the benefits of a personalised learning devices can be enjoyed for the many, not just by the few

Security and safety: For many schools, the idea of devices that are managed with antivirus and firewalls in place, as well as content filters to protect children from harmful content both in and out of school is a huge plus point for 1:1 device programmes. 

It means educational establishments don’t have to worry about connecting devices that are untrusted to their network and risk the source of a data breach. It can also help to support families and society as a whole with better safeguarding of children online.

 

Making sure you have the right foundation

For MATs, academies and schools - 1:1 device programmes sound like plain sailing. But before embarking on this journey, make sure you get there are a couple of fundamentals you need to put in place to make it work in practice and for it to deliver any educational value to teachers and pupils. 

We must start with the teachers. Quite often in embarking on any digital device programme, teachers are involved much too late in the process, which means schools can face resistance. Much like any other big programme, the adoption and success will lie on uptake of users - and in 1:1 device programmes the main users are the pupils, parents and teachers. 

Make sure you engage with them early. Let them know of your intentions, consult with them and listen to their concerns. Work with them to allay their fears and give teachers the reassurance they need: that they retain their autonomy over how they meet the needs of children in their classroom. 

The other aspect to consider is infrastructure. Having a device in the hand of every pupil around the school sounds like a dream for many schools. But this could easily turn into a nightmare if your network infrastructure isn’t up to the task of dealing with them. Suffice to say, the network has to be resilient enough to deal with hundreds of concurrent connections in every corner of every classroom. It’s certainly not the fancy side of tech, but having the right cabling, switching, server infrastructure and network connectivity is crucial to 1:1 device programme success. 

 

Conclusion

Given the significant challenges posed on both school and parent side, as well as the numerous advantages of personalised learning devices, the future of 1:1 programmes in school looks promising. As technology continues to evolve, so does the potential for better, more inclusive digital access to revolutionise education. 

With continued advancements in cloud-based learning platforms, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, personal devices can no doubt in the future play an even more significant role in enhancing learning experiences. While challenges exist, and there’s a need to set yourself up for success, proper advice, process and programme  design, stakeholder engagement, and administration will guide you to success.

At Novatia, we specialise in IT solutions for schools and trusts throughout the UK, offering guidance and support on 1:1 device programme strategies, procurement and administration. If you’re interested in having a chat about how we could potentially help you, get in touch and a member of our team will get back to you. Alternatively, why not read more about our experience with implementing EdTech programmes for MATs?

 
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