Thorpe St Andrew School withdraws laptop plan after backlash

Thorpe St Andrew School previously said all children joining year seven in September would need to buy a specific Chromebook through the academy, angering parents who would have been stumped with a bill in the hundreds. 

The school insisted these laptops were mandatory and "integral" to the children's learning, with a payment scheme available and discounts for those who qualify. 

Thorpe St Andrew School said all year 7s starting in September needed a laptop bought through the academy (Image: Google Maps)

But facing stiff opposition, school leaders have since withdrawn the proposed scheme, citing a lack of support.

A letter to Michelle Sorrell, who has been outspoken about it, said: "As we stated from the outset, the scheme would only be viable if there was significant support from parents and carers.

"Having now collated the responses received, it is clear that there is not the required level of support and as such, we will not proceed with the one-to-one scheme.

The school said Chromebooks such as this one would be integral to children's learning (Image: Newsquest)

"Given that, we will return to a teaching model which is not Chromebook-dependent in the classroom which means students in year seven will have the same ICT and computing opportunities as those in other schools."

Despite scrapping the scheme, Michelle was not too pleased with the school's approach. 

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She said: "I wouldn't say I am pleased with the way it has been handled as I feel they could have taken parents' views into account much earlier, and spoken to us all collectively in the last few weeks."

Michelle has fought the school on the scheme since learning she would need to pay hundreds for a laptop (Image: Michelle Sorrell)

Questions have also been raised about access to learning resources for those without the necessary equipment outside school hours.

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Michelle said: "My primary concern now is support with technology outside of school for pupils who do not own internet-enabled devices.

"From the letter, this seems to be on a case-by-case basis with what seems like a very limited offer."

Thorpe St Andrew School has been approached for comment. 

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