FAQs
Q. What is a Chromebook?
A. A Chromebook is a type of laptop with tablet level of simplicity. All software required for the student to use the device is provided via the school.
Q. Is it possible to plug in Accessories such as bigger screen, Mouse, Full keyboard etc
A. Yes, The chromebook employs USB-C technology so adapters are easily available that allow you plug into to separate screens/mice/keyboards etc. The school has these in place in various locations around the school.
Q. What happens at the end of the scheme?
A. The device will remain in the school management system until your child leaves us. Upon leaving, please email itsupport@chaseowrcs.sch.uk and we can remotely deprovision the device from the school’s management systems.
Q. Is the device protected online, at home and in school?
A. The student Chromebook is managed by The Chase until your child leaves. Use of the student Chromebook is monitored by the school – we use special software that detects any inappropriate use; the device may only be used for school-related activity.
Q. Can I bring in a device we already have at home?
A. Yes, if it is a Chromebook. No, if it is a Windows/Mac laptop or iPad. Unfortunately, we are unable to add laptops and iPads to our device management system and therefore, cannot provide a safely managed device which would pose various safeguarding risks. Please note that there will be an £30 charge for a Chrome management license if you choose to allow your child to bring in their existing Chromebook which would need to be installed on the device. You would also need to arrange separate accidental damage and warranty coverage for any Chromebook that is not part of the scheme.
Q. How does the school propose to support those that do not take part?
A. Students whose parents are not contributing for a device will still be able to check one out from the designated location during the school day. However, they will not be permitted to take this device home.
Q. When will we get the Chromebooks?
A. The intention is for the devices to be issued to students in the first week of the new term, exact dates/times will be communicated later.
Q. What is the deadline for ordering?
A. Please register for a Chromebook by the Sunday 30th of June 2024.
Q. When does the direct debit start?
A. The first direct debit will begin on the 1st October 2024, at which point the devices will have already been collected and used in school.
Q. What happens if a device gets damaged?
A. The student bundle includes accidental damage, extended warranty and battery cover for 36 months. The school will administer any claims and a repaired or replacement device will be issued to students.
*Coverage only protects the device from accidental damage and if the device is stolen. Deliberate and or malicious damage will be charged for.
Q. What happens if a device is lost?
A. Whilst theft is covered the device’s policy (with a crime reference number), loss is not.
Q. I can buy one cheaper online – why should I use this scheme?
A. Buying a device online will not include the necessary Chrome Management License which we use to manage the device on your behalf, to install apps and policies, and to provide the appropriate safety and security for your child. The bundle available through school also includes accidental damage cover for the donation period.
Q. What steps will the school take to support parents during rollout and adoption?
A. We will write to parents with advice regarding good practice around e-safety and device use. We are also providing at-home internet filtering included in the cost of the device.
Q. Does this mean that students will not be developing traditional, written skills?
A. No. Assessments will still be conducted using pen and paper, as this is how students will be assessed at GCSE and beyond. There will also be plenty of activities in lessons using pen and paper and the importance of good handwriting, good presentation and writing with speed and accuracy will be reinforced.
Q. Does this mean that students will not have access to textbooks and other reference books?
A. No. Individual departments will maintain similar levels of funding as to previous years, which means that they can still purchase textbooks and
Q. Will there be a limit on screen time for students?
A. Chromebooks are a tool for learning, not an activity in themselves. Good lessons involve a range of different activities both in and out of the classroom, incorporating discussion, group and individual work and, as mentioned above, work with pen and paper. It is definitely not the case that students will be spending all lesson, every lesson, on Chromebooks.
Q. What restrictions/filtering systems will be in place at school?
A. The schools use internet filtering systems to protect students from unsuitable content whilst using any device managed by the school which will apply to the Chromebooks wherever they may be. We also use software for keyword detection and classroom management of the devices while they are on site. A number of restrictions are also put in place to prevent students bypassing these restrictions
Q. Will the same restrictions / filtering systems be in place at home when students take these home?
A. The schools internet filtering system will still be in effect when the device is used at home, meaning that all browsing is filtered and recorded.
Q. How does the school propose to support those children of parents who don’t have the ability to pay and therefore cannot take the Chromebook home?
A. Students whose parents are not contributing for a device will still be able to check one out from the designated location during the school day. However, they will not be permitted to take this device home.
Q. What happens if the charger is lost?
A. New genuine chargers are available for purchasing from the school’s IT Support dept.
*Please note that if you purchase your own charger without buying it through the school there is a chance that it will not be a genuine charger and therefore may void warranty.
Google & Privacy
Use of Children’s Data by Google
This following link gives information about GDPR and personal data information for Schools. Google Education accounts are treated differently to normal consumer IDs, and not advertising tracked etc: https://edu.google.com/intl/en_uk/k-12-solutions/privacy-security/?modal_active=none
Here is an extract from Google’s Chromebook Privacy and Security document: “When our systems do compile and collect data, it is only used after the information has been completely scrubbed for information about individual users. This data is used to improve the services we provide. For example if data shows that millions of people are visiting a webpage that is broken, that site would be moved lower in the search results. If they choose to, administrators can disable Chrome Sync and users can choose what information to sync. G Suite for Education users’ Chrome Sync data is not used to target ads to individual students.” A link to the full document is here.
Here are extracts from G Suite for Education Privacy Notice: “Information we collect: A G Suite for Education account is a Google Account created and managed by a school for use by students and educators. When creating this account, the school may provide Google with certain personal information about its students and educators, which includes a user’s name, email address, and password in most cases, but could also include secondary email, phone, and address if the school chooses to provide that information.” “User personal information collected in the Core Services is used only to provide the Core Services. Google does not serve ads in the Core Services or use personal information collected in the Core Services for advertising purposes.”
A link to the full document is here: https://gsuite.google.com/intl/en-GB/terms/education_privacy.html
If were to try to anonymise each student by giving them a number instead of a username, in order for teachers to “translate” each student’s number back into their real name we would have to keep some sort of centralised directory of this data. As an organisation we use G Suite for the majority of our word processing and spreadsheets so this information would likely be stored in a Google Sheet anyway. Also, having students anonymised as a number would make it more challenging to filter and monitor all internet browsing activity which allows us to ensure that students are not able to reach harmful materials online.
Our teachers know the students in their class by name and using their names on their accounts makes our various systems easy to use. If students’ names were replaced by anonymised numbers, many of these systems would become borderline unusable. Teachers would have to refer to the directory mentioned above for every instance of registration, emailing, marking, assessment, reporting, safeguarding, etc. It would be very easy to get Student confused with Student.
As children age they need to learn how best to represent themselves online, not only through social media but also in search of further employment. This is something we currently teach as part of our English curriculum. Dealing with students as a number instead of a name is unrealistic and not something they will be able to sustain as they move on to Sixth Form and then Higher Education.
Some systems, such as exam boards and UCAS will not accept anonymised student information.
