Empowering Our Learners: The Junior Chromebook Scheme

At Christ Church, we believe in providing our pupils with the very best tools to flourish in a digital world. Thanks to a significant investment supported by our Governors’ Fund, every child in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) is issued a personal Chromebook to support their learning journey both in the classroom and at home.

Our goal is to bridge the gap between home and school, empowering our children to become confident, independent, and resilient learners while ensuring equality of opportunity for every single pupil, regardless of their circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need to fundraise for laptops now? Previously, the school was able to fund technology through its core budget. However, current financial climates mean this is no longer sustainable. Without the vital contributions to the Governors’ Fund, we simply would not be able to provide these high-quality devices or the premium software that comes with them.

Why do the children take their Chromebooks home every day? This ensures every child has a dedicated device for homework, effectively levelling the playing field for families who may not have access to a computer at home. Furthermore, it helps children build "digital fluency" - the ability to use technology as naturally as a pen and paper - which is a vital skill as they prepare for the transition to secondary school. Children are expected to take their device home each evening and return it the next day, fully charged and ready for lessons.

What about screen time and finding a balance? We remain a smartphone-free school and are deeply mindful of the time children spend online. We view these devices as digital satchels - tools to complement, not replace, traditional learning.

• Reading First: Daily home reading remains the cornerstone of our homework policy.
• Handwriting: We continue to keep handwritten work at the heart of our curriculum; indeed, we use software like LetterJoin on the devices specifically to practice fluent, legible cursive styles.
• Purposeful Use: The apps on the Chromebook are chosen for their "adaptive" qualities - they are games with a purpose that adjust to your child's specific level to provide the right amount of challenge.

What software is included on the device? Each Chromebook comes pre-loaded with a premium suite of learning tools that would cost an individual family approximately £187.99 per year in subscription fees. These include:

• Maths: Mathletics for curriculum mastery, NumBots for number fluency, and Times Tables Rock Stars for rapid recall.
• English: LetterJoin for handwriting, Rollama for grammar and punctuation, and SpellingShed for National Curriculum spelling practice.

Is the internet connection safe at home? Yes. We use an enterprise-grade filtering system called LGfL HomeProtect. This technology filters all internet traffic directly on the Chromebook itself, whether it is connected to your home Wi-Fi or a public hotspot. It provides a much higher level of protection than standard home parental controls, blocking inappropriate or harmful content automatically.

What happens if the Chromebook is damaged or lost?

• Breakages: The devices are provided with a secure, robust carry case and are covered by a comprehensive warranty. If the device stops working or is broken, please return it to school for repair or replacement.
• Loss/Theft: These instances are covered by school insurance, though please note that parents may be asked to contribute toward the insurance excess.

How can my child identify their device? Every Chromebook and charger is clearly labelled with your child's name. We ask that parents attach a unique keyring to the carry case to help your child identify their bag quickly in the classroom.

How You Can Help at Home

The best way to support this initiative is to find a home for the Chromebook - a specific place where it can be charged every night. Encouraging your child to take ownership of this routine is a wonderful way to build their sense of responsibility.