English schools see laptop allocation slashed by up to 80 per cent

Department for Education has bought 100,000 extra devices for disadvantaged students as schools across England see their allotted number of laptops cut

Schools across England have had their laptop allocation cut, despite the government proclaiming they have secured 100,000 more devices for disadvantaged students, according to various media reports.

The Department for Education (DfE) promised the devices to underprivileged students who have to self-isolate or who do not have a device at home to facilitate remote learning.

However, headteachers across England have reported that the number of laptops they were promised had been cut by up to 80 per cent due to a "change" in the allocation process, according to The Guardian.

DfE guidelines state that the allocation is reflective of the number of laptops and tablets the department estimates is needed by each institution. It is calculated based on the number of children in years 3 to 11, free school meals data and an estimate of the number of devices a school or college already has.

Devices are also given to students who are shielding or self-isolating.

Schools learnt of the slashed allocation one day after a new legal duty was imposed on them to provide immediate remote education for any pupils out of school because of COVID-19.

Chris Dyson, headteacher at Parklands School in Leeds, told the BBC that his school had been allocated 61 laptops, which was not enough for the number of students requiring them.

He said he received an email from the DfE on Friday stating that it had secured an extra 100,000 laptop and that it was changing its allocation process.

"I needed 168 [laptops]. So I logged on expecting to hopefully see my 61 had gone up, and it destroyed me, it flattened me, when I saw it's actually been cut to 13," he told the BBC.

"Thirteen laptops in a worst-case scenario to share amongst 380 children. I thought it was absolutely scandalous."

Nick Brook, deputy general secretary at the NAHT school leaders' union, said that the government was "clearly unable" to provide the tools that schools need to function under coronavirus restrictions.

"The fact that the government is simultaneously announcing an additional supply of laptops whilst at the same time reducing each school's allocation demonstrates that it has seriously underestimated the impact coronavirus would have on schools this term," he stated.

"The government has been quick to mandate what it expects schools to be able to do when it comes to remote learning, but is clearly unable to deliver the necessary tools that schools and their pupils need.

"It beggars belief that within 24 hours of making immediate access to remote learning a legal requirement, the government has announced that it is reducing the number of laptops schools are eligible to receive."

The DfE said that it was updating the allocation process to ensure orders are more accurate with the number of students self-isolating.

"As we move into half term, and in the context of significant global demand, we're updating our allocation process to more accurately align orders with the number of students schools typically have self-isolating, ensuring as many children as possible benefit from receiving a device this term," it stated.

"We have already purchased an additional 96,000 devices and continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure delivery despite the increased global demand."