Frequently Asked Questions

Every student at Blenheim needs to be prepared for a world with digital technology. Blenheim’s goal continues to be for every student to receive the best possible education, including having access to top quality digital technology. When used to support traditional classroom based learning, one to one technology such as the iPad improves feedback between teacher and student, aids collaboration and encourages creativity. Focused and personal study becomes easier with the range of educational apps available, resources from the internet, e-books and Showbie that allow students to easily access subject content. The role of technology in remote learning through the iPad enables students to continue their studies seemingly both school and at home.

Students have been using iPads in Blenheim for many years and their independence, creativity and problem-solving skills have all developed as a result. Up to date information about student homework and highly personalised feedback from staff is available through the use of many school Apps, meaning staff and students have been able to work closely together to develop new ways of teaching and learning.

The iPads should be taken home each day if maximum benefit is to be gained from the scheme.  As part of the induction process, students receive guidance on personal safety. Each iPad can also be tracked and disabled by the school if stolen.

Blenheim has invested significantly and is constantly upgrading the school’s ICT infrastructure specifically to prepare and support the use of the devices. The school has a super-fast wireless internet connection, supplied iPads and training to staff and has a significant technical support team.

Blenheim receives no Government funding for the iPad for Learning Scheme so asks parents/carers to contribute to the costs. The cost of the iPad package is competitive, but such an ambitious scheme cannot run without financial support from parents/carers.

Two consecutive schemes operate over the five years of a Blenheim student’s education.  The first provides an iPad in Year 7 and 8 (KS3) and the second provides an upgrade to a new device at the beginning of Year 9 in readiness for GCSE years (KS4).

Parents can sign up to the iPad for Learning scheme through the school website portal.  We will write to parents with full details of how to sign up.

At the end of each scheme, providing all contributions have been received by the school, they will own the device. 

At the end of both the two year (year 7 and 8) and three year scheme (9,10,11), providing all contributions are up-to-date, the iPad becomes the property of all parents/carers.

No. We want the scheme to be equitable, ie include all students, even when their parents can’t or won’t contribute.  The school meets this cost through its contribution and use of grant income and the Pupil Premium funds.  We will loan an iPad as needed to students who are not part of the scheme.  The loan devices cannot, however, be taken home.

There are a large range of tablet computers available, some cheaper than the iPad. Blenheim chose the iPad for the following reasons:

• Managed Apple IDs allow a high degree of control over the iPad.
• Blenheim’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) system is able to remotely manage the iPads, pushing apps out, monitoring battery capacity and iPad memory, as well as locking an iPad where necessary.
• The iPad is proven to be reliable and durable and is by far the most widely used tablet in education worldwide.
• Software from the App Store is high quality, carefully vetted and there is a huge range of free and paid educational apps.
• Through Apple’s Volume Purchasing Program, Blenheim is able to get up to 50% discount on apps.
• Many families already own an iPad, iPod or iPhone, so are familiar with the technology.
• Apple TV and software such as Air Server, allow students to share their work with the class through the interactive whiteboard in each classroom.

Parents can either settle the balance or return the iPad to the school. No refunds can be made for contributions already made.

Due to operational, safeguarding and insurance reasons we are unable to allow iPads to be brought in from home.

Blenheim provides an approved case to all students and insists on it being used at all times to minimise the chance of accidental damage. School-funded iPads are covered against accidental damage and breakdown.  A small number of swap out iPads will be available, pending repair or replacement.

We will invite parents to a meeting to discuss their concerns, and if they are still unwilling to participate, we will make available an iPad for the student to use in school, but not take home.

Following the January 2017 inspection, Ofsted commented:

'ICT is used effectively to support learning.  Each student has access to a tablet, which is used in a range of ways to support lessons and other activities.  For example, pupils can complete and submit work for teachers to mark online, use their tablets as whiteboards for quick-response questions and use them instead of textbooks.  Pupils find it motivating and enjoyable using tablets, and say that the instant feedback it can provide is really helpful.'

Discounts are offered to Pupil Premium and Free School meal students and will be automatically applied once parents/carers have signed up to the scheme.

From 2021 we are no longer offering sibling discounts for new enrolments to the 5 year programme. This is due to budgetary restraints and an increase in costs to the school.  

Students still write in exercise books, develop their handwriting skills, use text books and dictionaries and read ‘real’ books. The iPads for Learning scheme works in collaboration with traditional reading and writing teaching methods to develop students’ digital skills. The student exercise book is the primary medium for learning, complemented by the iPads for Learning Scheme.

Tri-weekly and termly Key Assessments, trial exams and practice papers are still handwritten. Practice exam papers may be available online and feedback from the teacher will be electronic in much the same way as exams are actually marked by exam boards.

A device that is used both at school and at home improves continuity of learning, with all the resources needed available in one place.  Parents play a greater part in supporting and understanding the work that students are doing in class.  We use the 'Satchel One' app that is accessible to parents and students, so even if a student forgets what homework has been set, they can be reminded of it easily.  Worksheets are often made available electronically through the app, removing the dreaded "I left it at school" scenario.

Blenheim encourages safe, responsible use of technology in order to prepare students for the world outside of school. Students joining the scheme will be provided with a Managed Apple ID. These Managed Apple IDs are created and controlled by the school, so resetting passwords is easy, and no set up by students is required. 

Students will not be able to download games or access the App Store, iTunes, YouTube or the iBook Store. This ensures the iPad is principally a tool for learning. 

It is important to set clear expectations for iPad use at home and it is strongly recommend that parents/carers establish clear guidelines around where the iPad is used and for how long each day. 

IPads should be charged overnight in the kitchen and not left in students’ bedrooms where it can be a distraction.

Students still write in exercise books, answer exam style questions, including writing essays, and use paper or digital textbooks.  When it is appropriate, students may be asked to take a quick online quiz, using the Socrative app to test prior knowledge.  They may research the background to a topic using the Safari browser; use the video camera to film some groupwork or role play, or email another student a photograph of work in progress for peer assessment.