To Headteachers – All Schools
Dear Headteacher
LAPTOPS FOR TEACHERS
My letter dated 28 June, outlined the procedure we were following in the allocation of laptops to schools for teachers.
This letter:
1. Sets out the provisional number of laptops your school will receive in the Autumn term 2002, and the Summer term 2003.
2. Explains the allocation process.
3. Asks you to notify me of the names of those teachers which you have selected to receive a laptop in the Autumn term (I will send out a similar request in the Spring term for the names of those teachers selected to receive a laptop in the Summer term 2003).
4. Explains the administrative arrangements.
5. Provides an opportunity for schools to purchase additional laptops.
SCHOOL ALLOCATION
Annexe A sets out your school’s allocation of laptops for Autumn term 2002 and Summer term 2003.
The allocation is based on the full time equivalent teachers numbers previously agreed and included in the 2002/03 Services to Schools Contract to Purchase form.
The allocations are provisional due to both confirmation of uptake and laptop prices. Final allocations will be confirmed for 2002 at the start of term. For Summer 2003 confirmation of numbers will be notified towards the end of the Spring term.
Continued/…
ALLOCATION PROCESS
The DfES has indicated each school should receive at least one laptop. The remaining available laptops have been allocated on a per FTE teacher basis.
This results in Primary schools receiving between two and six laptops over the two years; Special schools receiving three or four laptops and Secondary schools receiving between six and seventeen laptops.
SELECTION OF TEACHER PROCESS
The DfES have specified eligibility in section 3 of their guidance, the main criteria are:
· the teacher holds a registered teacher number in England and is currently employed as a teacher.
· teachers who have received a subsidy under the Computers for Teachers initiative (phases 1 or 2) or a laptop under the Laptops for New Head Teachers initiative, or who have benefited from schemes that were wholly or partly funded by the Government within the last three years, are not eligible.
· Laptops must be allocated to named individuals on long-term loan. Teachers should retain the equipment for the duration that they teach at the school that they are in when they receive the laptop. The laptop must be returned to the school for reallocation to another teacher when the original recipient ceases employment at that school.
· Priority should be given to head teachers who do not already own a computer funded wholly or partly by the government in the last three years.
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
In accordance with the DfES guidance Headteachers are requested to complete the proforma at appendix B headed “School Return – Teachers Nominated to Receive a Laptop” and return it by fax to ICT Solutions 01603 475624 as soon as possible.
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
· Ordering
Laptops will be ordered from RM with the intention for delivery to school site during September/October 2002.
Laptops will not be delivered to your school until the notification the “School Return – Teachers Nominated to Receive a Laptop” have been received.
· Receiving Goods
The boxes will contain instructions on how to install and check the laptop is operating correctly and the action to be taken if the laptop does not function. It is vital that this is done within 10 days of receipt because after this any ‘dead on arrivals’ will be subject to warranty repair and not swapped out.
·
Acceptance
Procedure
All teachers receiving a laptop under this initiative, regardless of purchase option chosen, will be required to log on to a central web site to confirm receipt and functionality of the laptop.
The web site will also contain information on useful web sites, networks and on-line communities, many of which will be used by teachers with similar interests as themselves. Details of the process to be followed after the laptop has been received will be made available on this site before the first orders are placed.
· Evaluation
Any teacher receiving a laptop under this initiative may be asked to take part in an evaluation exercise to explore the effective use of laptops in teaching practice. The results of the evaluation will contribute to the DfES’ thinking on how future phases of the initiative should be delivered and will help to inform the DfES of the impact that personal access to ICT has on teaching and learning.
· Demonstration of Goods
During earlier schemes demonstrations on how to set up and operate the equipment were made available. I am aware that most staff are more technically aware now and full operating instructions will be provided as indicated above. In the event that some staff might feel they need help then it will be possible to arrange some sessions in early October 2002 in possibly four or five locations based around the County. Please indicate if you require a setting up demonstration on the Return Form Appendix B by ticking the “Demo Req.” box.
·
Additional
Purchases
Appendix C gives the full specification of the equipment to be purchased and the price of £855 excluding VAT. It is possible for schools to purchase additional laptops. Please indicate on the form if you wish to accept this option and fax to Education ICT Solutions 01603 475624 by no later than Friday 26 July, 2002.
Unfortunately I cannot guarantee either a school delivery date or the current fixed price for orders received after this date
The offer applies to this specification only and cannot be modified in any way.
QUERIES
Any questions on this process should be made to ICT Solutions Helpdesk 0845 3033003
Full details of the initiative are available on the Laptop for Teachers website at bttp://www.lft.gov.uk
Yours sincerely
Director of Education