Equipped for Learning

Pupils can only make good progress and enjoy school if they have the correct equipment to use in both lessons and homework.

We therefore ask all parents to ensure their sons are fully equipped for school and that boys check this equipment is correct before school each day.

Students should check:

• Google classroom for any tasks that are due
• Whether any games or PE kit is required for the next day
• That they have all the books needed for the next day’s lessons and that any work due is completed
• To ensure equipment is ready for the next day

Learning Equipment Required:

• A Chromebook that is fully charged
• A named, robust and spacious bag such as a rucksack. The bag should be able to contain both sports kit plus all the text and exercise books required for a day’s learning.
• Transparent pencil case
• Black or blue pens for writing – pupils should use the pen that helps them write in the clearest and neatest fashion
• HB Graphite pencils and rubber
• Colouring pencils
• Highlighter pens
• Red and green biros
• Glue stick
• Small scissors
• A clear rigid 30cm ruler
• Scientific calculator – Casio or similar are recommended
• Maths set, including a protractor, pair of compasses and a set square
• Pupils are also expected to carry a private reading book with them at all times.

Many parents find it beneficial to keep duplicate learning equipment kit at home.

Lost Property
All items should be named, this enables us to reunite students with their lost property. Lost property is kept at Reception and students should use break and lunchtimes to relocate any lost items.

During P.E. and Games sessions, boys should not bring valuables.

Mobile Phone and Other Devices
Years 7-11

Mobile phones must be switched off at all times during the school day, including break and lunchtimes, and remain off whilst students are on the school premises. It is not acceptable for phones merely to be put on silent. Unauthorised use of mobile phones will be met with sanctions according to the school behaviour policy. Note that we do not require students to have smartphones, since they are equipped with a Chromebook or laptop for learning.

Years 12-13

Mobile phones must be on silent at all times during the school day, including break and lunchtimes.
Mobile phones may be used within the Sixth Form Centre. Students are not permitted to use phones in other parts of the school or when moving between buildings.

Chromebooks / Bring your own device
We live in a world full of advancing technology and our aim with this scheme is to ensure that our students become technologically fluent in a safe and secure way. We will be using the approach of Blended Learning to achieve this.
Blended learning combines the use of technology with more traditional classroom methods. This approach means that the devices will be used to enhance learning but our key message to pupils is to always pay more attention to the teacher, not the technology, in the classroom. Pupils are expected to have a Chromebook device on entry into year 7 and a laptop device of any reasonable specification for sixth form. Devices should come to school charged and be able to last the school day on battery power.

Pupils will receive any necessary logins and information through their form tutor, and will be fully briefed on safety and security throughout the year. Teachers will give instructions on subject specific usage throughout the year as pupils become familiar with their tablet devices. Typical examples of lesson use would be graphing and drawing applications in maths, vocabulary practice in language and video analysis in practical subjects like music and art. Students will also be able to use their device to access Google Classroom.

Buying Your Device
We have worked directly with device manufacturer, ASUS, to build a custom specification Chromebook device. This device has been built to meet the demands of an educational setting, taking account of the power and performance of key hardware but also its durability. Unlike consumer units ordinarily purchased from a high street or online store, this device has been vigorously tested for an educational setting. Tests include drop testing; input-output port durability testing; hinge open and close cycle testing and pressure testing on the lid and bottom of the device. Whilst these tests don’t offer a guarantee against breakages, they do give peace of mind that these devices are built for an educational setting.

The negotiated cost also includes a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years. This is a unique feature of the custom specification on offer.

Albion Computers, the Alban Academies Trust’s chosen reseller for this device also offer accidental damage cover and an extended battery warranty (of 5 years) for the device and the opportunity to enter a financial repayment scheme when purchasing.

Our chosen device

The custom specification device which will be sold by Albion Computers is the ASUS CR1104FGA. A sleeve style case will be provided with the Chromebook as part of the bundle available to purchase.

Technical Specification

Processor: Intel® N100 Processor

Memory: 8GB LPDDR5 on board RAM

Display: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 Gorilla Glass Touch Screen

Storage: 32GB eMMC

Battery: 10-13 Hours life

Interface: 2x USB Type-A ports, 2x USB Type-C ports, with display and power delivery support, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x Micro SD card reader

Additional Features: Front Facing Camera: 720p HD and World Facing Camera. Rubberised edges.

Weight: 1.45kg

How to purchase the device and costs

Albion Computers have created a school specific portal where you can purchase the device bundle through a single payment or set up a finance agreement with a third party.

Please visit https://store.albion.co.uk/verulam/ to access our school’s dedicated store.

The cost of the device bundle, which includes a sleeve style case is £373.20.

This price is valid for orders placed before 21st June 2024 and for delivery in early September 2024.

Through the portal you will also have the option of purchasing 5-year accidental damage cover and/or an extended 5-year battery warranty for the device. Cover is provided by the device manufacturer, ASUS. Costs for this cover are:

Accidental damage cover (5 years) – £38.40

5-year battery cover – £28.80

It is important that you review the policy details available at time of purchase.

Both warranty and accidental damage claims are logged and handled through ASUS and not directly with the school or trust.

We therefore ask all parents to ensure their sons are fully equipped for school and that boys check this equipment is correct before school each day.

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