Student Devices
At STFS, we are committed to delivering a blended learning experience that combines high-quality classroom teaching with the effective use of digital tools. This approach supports students in developing essential digital literacy, independence, and the ability to work flexibly – skills that are vital for success in education, employment and life beyond school.
As part of our blended learning strategy, every student is required to bring a laptop to school each day. This is a core part of their equipment – as essential as their calculator, uniform or PE kit – and is used regularly across the curriculum to access resources, complete tasks, submit work, and engage with learning platforms.
Historically, STFS has operated a hybrid Microsoft and Google digital environment, using both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. However, with major IT upgrades planned for summer 2025, we are taking the opportunity to transition fully to Microsoft 365.
This strategic move will allow us to:
Provide a more integrated and seamless digital learning experience
Improve collaboration and productivity tools available to students and staff
Strengthen safeguarding, security and data compliance across our systems
Offer more consistent access and fewer compatibility issues for home and school use
As part of this change, Google Workspace will be formally retired in July 2029. From that point, we will no longer be able to support Google accounts or Chromebooks on our school network.
To ensure a smooth transition:
Students joining STFS from September 2025 onwards must use a Windows laptop. Chromebooks will not be accepted.
Existing students with school-approved Chromebooks can continue to use them until they leave the school, and we will support those devices fully until that time. No action is needed if your child already has a working Chromebook in use at STFS.
Please see below for the two available routes for meeting the laptop requirement.
1. Purchase a Device Through Freedom Tech
We strongly recommend that families purchase their child’s laptop through our trusted technology partner, Freedom Tech. We have worked with Freedom Tech for several years and continue to be impressed by their reliability, customer service, and understanding of the school environment.
The laptops provided through this scheme are fully ruggedised, built to withstand everyday use in school, and pre-configured to meet all of our technical, safeguarding, and curriculum needs.
The Freedom Tech package includes:
A Lenovo 300w (4th Gen) ruggedised Windows laptop
A Microsoft 365 licence for school and home use
Full configuration for compatibility with school systems and safeguarding software
Devices are delivered ready to use, with all software pre-installed and settings configured – there’s nothing extra for families to do once it arrives
A 36-month advanced swap-out warranty and repair service
Loan device provision if a repair is needed
Flexible payment options (1, 12, 24 or 36 months)
Financial assistanct for students eligible for Pupil Premium or Pupil Premium Plus
Despite their durability, it’s fair to say that school life can be tough on devices – and some of them do have a very hard life! Accidental damage is common in a busy secondary school setting. We send several student laptops for repair each week, and Freedom Tech consistently provides a fast, efficient and supportive repair service.
Importantly, students are never left without access to learning – Freedom Tech supplies temporary loan devices while repairs are carried out, ensuring that students can continue with their work with minimal disruption.
You know your child best – if you think there’s a good chance they’ll make use of the repair service at some point, this package offers peace of mind and excellent long-term value.
Choosing Freedom Tech ensures your child is fully supported with a robust and school-ready device, and gives families reassurance that help is at hand if something does go wrong.
2. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Families may choose to provide their own Windows laptop instead of purchasing one through Freedom Tech. However, this option comes with specific conditions to ensure safeguarding compliance and compatibility with school systems.
Minimum specification for BYOD devices:
Device type: Windows laptop (Chromebooks, MacBooks, and tablets are not permitted)
Operating system: Windows 11 Pro
RAM: Minimum 8GB
Storage: Minimum 128GB SSD
Screen size: 11" - 12” is ideal
Battery life: At least 6 hours (must last a full school day)
Connectivity: WiFi & Bluetooth enabled
All BYOD laptops must be set up by the school’s IT support provider before use. This ensures the device is correctly configured to meet the DfE’s Internet Safety regulations, including the installation of appropriate filtering and monitoring software.
This service incurs a one-off fee (no more than £20, depending on demand), which covers:
Full setup and configuration of the device and installation of required safeguarding tools
Removal of all school applications and deregistration when your child leaves the school
Additionally:
Devices must be approved by the school before being used in lessons
Parents/carers must sign the BYOD agreement before the device can be connected
The school cannot provide technical support, repairs, or loan devices for BYOD laptops
If a BYOD device becomes lost, damaged or unusable, the school is not responsible for providing a replacement
You can view the full BYOD agreement via the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child already has a Chromebook – do we need to replace it?
A: No. If your child is already enrolled at STFS and using a Chromebook that was approved by the school, they can continue using it until they leave. These devices will remain supported until July 2029, when Google Workspace is retired.
Q: Can new students starting in September 2025 use a Chromebook?
A: No. From September 2025, all new students must use a Windows laptop. Chromebooks will not be compatible with our updated systems and will not be permitted.
Q: What happens if my child’s BYOD laptop breaks?
A: If you’ve purchased a device through Freedom Tech, your child will receive a temporary replacement while it’s being repaired. If you’ve provided your own device, the school is unable to offer technical support, repairs or loan devices.
Q: What if we can’t afford to buy a laptop?
A: We are committed to ensuring that every student has access to the tools they need. We offer discounted devices for Pupil Premium students, and families in need are encouraged to speak to us – support is available.
Q: Can we buy a device elsewhere instead of using Freedom Tech?
A: Yes, but the device must meet our minimum specification, and you must agree to the terms set out in our BYOD agreement. You can view that agreement here: [Insert link].
Q: Can students bring tablets or MacBooks instead?
A: No. Only Windows laptops are permitted from September 2025 onwards. Tablets, iPads, MacBooks and other devices are not compatible with our systems.
Q: What is the fee for setting up a BYOD device?
A: A small fee (up to £20) is charged for setup by our IT support provider. This covers installation of filtering and monitoring systems, and includes secure deregistration and removal of school software when your child leaves.
Q: Is financial assistance available for families who choose the BYOD option?
A: No. Financial support is only available through the Freedom Tech scheme, where we can apply discounts and subsidies for eligible students. If you require support, we strongly encourage you to use the Freedom Tech option.
Q: What happens to the software and monitoring tools when my child leaves the school?
A: For BYOD devices, our IT support team will remove all school applications, settings, and monitoring tools and deregister the device when your child leaves. This is included in the setup fee.
Q: Will the device be used in every lesson?
A: This will vary depending on the lesson context and objectives. Some lessons will use the device for a large proportion of the time, whereas in some lessons it will not be used at all. Lessons will be a hybrid of traditional learning supported by learning on the device.
Q: Can my child use their laptop at home?
A: Yes, students should definitely use their device at home and it will be required to complete the majority of their homework tasks. Outside of school, if you choose to allow it, personal accounts can be used that allow unrestricted access to the laptop. Website filtering and monitoring is not applied by STFS on personal accounts so we recommend that you set your security settings on your Wi-Fi accordingly.
Q: How do you manage online safety?
A: We have effective filtering and monitoring systems on our school network which work alongside the school managed settings in the laptop, to safeguard students from harmful online material. Filtering restricts access to online content, while monitoring allows user activity to be reviewed. Students are unable to connect to our network with a personal account so we can be confident we are providing a safe environment for learning.
Q: How accessible are the devices?
A: The laptops come prebuilt with a plethora of accessibility options, such as changing on screen text size or activating an on-screen text reader. There are also a number of extensions that can be made available to aid accessibility.