The iPad is and remains the property of Penryn College.

If, in the first instance, it appears that the damage is genuinely accidental, Penryn College will repair or replace the iPad free of charge. Any further damages, malicious damage or loss/theft will lead to a parental charge being raised prior to the student being issued with a repaired or replacement iPad.

The iPads are unattractive to thieves because the school’s management system controls them remotely, this means we can track and close down any iPad reported missing.

The iPads will be part of your child's learning equipment in much the same way as a pen or a ruler. The iPad is a fantastic tool for research, for sharing and recording work, and for making learning more visual and interactive. However, we do not anticipate that your child will be using their iPad all day every day. It is one learning tool of many. The iPad will also allow all children at home to be able to use the same level of technology to complete their work.

We have purchased the most advanced and education-specific filtering system available. This enables us to filter any use of the Internet on the iPads just as we currently filter the use on the school’s own network. This filtering system is incredibly flexible and allows us to set up different types of access to the Internet for different students. We can force the iPad to access the internet only though this system, even when it is in the home.

Parents/carers know their children best and are best placed to make decisions about how much screen time a student should have in the evenings. Currently, students cannot download gaming apps, so their use is limited to internet browsing and apps supplied by the school. This should avoid hours of Angry Birds! We do advise that when they finish with the iPad, the student leaves it to charge somewhere other than in their bedroom.

We believe that providing all students with the same level of digital resources is an excellent way to help them. We always seek to work with parents/carers who have concerns to see what they are and how we might be able to address them. However, it will not be essential for every child to have an iPad; they will be able to use other devices during lessons, if necessary, and homework will not rely on them having access to an iPad. If needed, students will be set alternative, non-iPad-based tasks.

It is probable that your child will use their iPad to link to your home Internet. There is also the possibility that they may download material on to their iPad. We can monitor and allow this through our filtering system, if we decide it is appropriate. If you do not have the internet at home it is not necessary for you to obtain it: students will be able to download what they need to when they are in school. We do not anticipate any parents/carers having to change their broadband to accommodate these iPads.

As stated above, there will be an Acceptable Use Policy document for you and your child to sign. This will include details such as your child having to keep the iPad in its supplied case and agreeing not to misuse the iPad in any way. Your child will also need to ensure that their iPad is charged at home and ready for use in school, and that there is sufficient space on the iPad for their schoolwork. The iPad will become another piece of equipment that is required for lessons, just like a pen or a ruler.

Students will be able to print directly from the iPads, so they will need to ensure they have printer credits. These can be purchased via the ParentPay system.

We use Microsoft 365 on the school network. This allows the iPads to integrate with Microsoft packages. Music, Technology and ICT will continue to use PCs or Apple iMacs during lessons.

Apple has the most robust, virus-free and secure operating system and comprehensive range of apps; there are at least 80,000 educational apps for the iPad. Apple is also experienced and very willing to work with schools and operating a global network of educators who can support us. The iPad Generation 8 was chosen because it has more storage than the previous iPads used and is more cost-effective than other models in the range.

As part of the long-term planning the school undertakes, iPads are considered an essential tool for student support and as such a replacement plan is put into place and regularly reviewed, allowing a proportion of the school budget to be set aside for this purpose. Savings are found by reducing the numbers of other, less used devices, such as PCs.

We will ensure that lessons continue to have a balance of activities. Students will continue to have exercise books and take part in group work and practical activities. We will continue our emphasis on developing students’ writing skills. In exams, students will still be expected to work using pen and paper, so we will ensure working in this way remains a priority.

Our filtering and classroom management systems will allow the teacher to turn all the iPads in a class off. However, a big part of providing students with this technology is to help them develop the skills and judgement to use it responsibly, so simply turning the machines off will not be a solution used regularly. Teachers remain in charge of lessons and will decide on the best approach; it may be that pupils are asked to keep them in their bags when not in use. When in use, teachers will monitor students as always, and if necessary punish students for not working as requested.

Different schools take different approaches to this. However, at Penryn College we propose that iPad use is minimised during these times. This is to reduce the potential for damage and to encourage students to see the machines as a learning tool. During breaks, lunchtimes, and the holidays, we want students to be socialising and relaxing, not looking at screens.

When the iPads are not in use we will encourage students to ensure they are looked after carefully and stored safely in bags or lockers.

The iPads will be available for use by the students during holidays, in the same way as at weekends and evenings.

As mobile phones generally have cameras and microphones, this has been an issue for all schools for some time. Students have already been made aware of the seriousness of inappropriate behaviour through assemblies; the Acceptable Use Policy for iPads document further reinforces this. Recording and sharing images without permission is potentially illegal and will be dealt with as an extremely serious matter. Again, if it was felt necessary, the school could limit the camera function on the devices.

For us, one of the most exciting aspects of giving all students iPads is that no student will be disadvantaged because they cannot access the resources they need. Introducing a flat charge will always impact families differently: for some, £50 will not be much, but for others, it is a significant sum. We are very fortunate that we are able to offer the machines with no upfront cost.

The iPads are fully managed by the school using a modern device management solution. This means that required apps are pushed out to the devices, so there is no requirement for students to have an iTunes account. This means that the school can ensure all devices are set up in the best way possible to support the students’ educational requirements.