Disadvantaged children across England are set to receive laptops and tablets

[localzuk]

You could do that, but we all know when child of said parent accesses something they shouldn't and they go to the local press with school provided device use to access... that piece of paper isn't going to help in the slightest. If a school is providing a device then it should be adequately safeguarded.

Indeed, this is our view here. All devices that we issue to children have to have our filtering in place. It adds cost, but ensures we're complying with our obligations and prevents issues like this.

[ITGuyNW]

That's what I figured. In the previous round, we were advised that they only needed to be enrolled in an MDM if we already had one in place due to the additional costs involved. Now that they are offering additional funding to support setup, I'd like to know if MDM costs will now be covered.

 

Yeah that's what I am trying to find out now. If they are offering a grant to help with setting up the safeguarding aspect that would help me out.

 

We use Smoothwall but I find their cloud filter a bit unreliable.

[ITGuyNW]

Ah, hadn't seen that as we're not able to order our laptops yet. Fortunately, we have a Smoothwall so have the cloud filter option enabled on that.

 

Do you domain join the laptops to use the smoothwall? or do you setup local users?

[enjay]

We use Smoothwall but I find their cloud filter a bit unreliable.

 

Same here. I've got it installed on my laptop, but it only seems to affect one of my three Chrome profiles. Not had a chance to report it to them yet.

[Rob_D]

Do you domain join the laptops to use the smoothwall? or do you setup local users?

Personally I'd go for location filtering. Or just let them fall through to your catchall rule (which for us is pretty much the same as students).

We switched to using Sophos webfilter for home devices as at the time the Smoothwall offering looked like it was just a chrome plugin.

[enjay]

Pat the time the Smoothwall offering looked like it was just a chrome plugin.

 

Edge too, but not Internet Explorer!

[ITGuyNW]

Has anyone put anything into place hoping the grant will cover it? I emailed DFE and they say that safeguarding software is definitely covered

 

"Thank you for your email.

 

We know that some organisations are not currently in a position to ensure that all devices received through the Get help with technology service can be safely used by children and young people. For that reason, we’ve put the devices grant in place.

 

The grant contributes towards the technical support costs of setting up and resetting devices received from DfE, including adding safeguarding tools to ensure devices remain safe.

 

Organisations can claim the grant:

 

• for costs incurred for technical support provided between 1 November 2021 and 14 January 2022 relating to resetting a DfE-restricted device
   
  
• for costs incurred between 1 November 2021 and 14 January 2022 for technical support relating to setting up a device received from the DfE on or after 1 November 2021
  

 

Further information about the grants including its restrictions and eligibility criteria is available in the Get help with technology service.

 

Kind regards,"

[LeMarchand]

Anyone know how to retroactively add devices to Apple School Manager? SMT didn't ask for Apple ID at time of order...

[localzuk]

Anyone know how to retroactively add devices to Apple School Manager? SMT didn't ask for Apple ID at time of order...

You can add them to DEP/ADP via Configurator 2.

[LeMarchand]

You can add them to DEP/ADP via Configurator 2.

 

Thanks, but I think that needs stuff that we don't have (like a Mac).

[localzuk]

Thanks, but I think that needs stuff that we don't have (like a Mac).

The only other ways are to go back to the supplier to ask them to retroactively add the devices at their end (though you need their ADP ID to add to your account to let them, and they need your ADP ID to do it too), or if you know the supplier's ADP number and the Apple order number you can add it your end.

[Guest Guest]

The only other ways are to go back to the supplier to ask them to retroactively add the devices at their end (though you need their ADP ID to add to your account to let them, and they need your ADP ID to do it too), or if you know the supplier's ADP number and the Apple order number you can add it your end.

Are they able to do that? I requested that before and was told it's not possible

[localzuk]

Are they able to do that? I requested that before and was told it's not possible

Its possible for suppliers, yes (we even managed to get 1 supplier to add a 5 year old order on for some devices we inherited when we took on a school in the MAT). Whether they will or not is a different matter entirely...

[LeMarchand]

Are they able to do that? I requested that before and was told it's not possible

 

Managed to get it done last time this happened, but I think the method/supplier has changed.

[DGardiner]

Are they able to do that? I requested that before and was told it's not possible

its at the discression of the supplier, in some cases if theyre box shifters it can mean they then need to get in touch with JTRS/Westcoast and have them do it so they say they cant.

 

As log as the ipad was DEP capable its possible

[Andycat]

11" Lenovo Celeron, 64gb MMC and 4gb RAM. Only device available to us. Think I'll wait....

[enjay]

11" Lenovo Celeron, 64gb MMC and 4gb RAM. Only device available to us. Think I'll wait....

 

Depends what you need. Most of our students just need Internet access for all their learning resources, so those devices would be suitable.

[LeMarchand]

11" Lenovo Celeron, 64gb MMC and 4gb RAM. Only device available to us. Think I'll wait....

 

That seems to be the usual sort of spec.

[Andycat]

Depends what you need. Most of our students just need Internet access for all their learning resources, so those devices would be suitable.

 

We usually image them with Direct Access for off site use, we managed to get HP Laptops last 2 rounds and some ipads. Was hoping for those really!

[enjay]

We usually image them with Direct Access for off site use, we managed to get HP Laptops last 2 rounds and some ipads. Was hoping for those really!

 

Yeah, we've got a load of those HPs too, nice pieces of kit. The rest of the laptops are 11" Dells or some Dynabooks, both of which are similar spec to what you're quoting. The HPs were discontinued lines before DfE sent them out, which could be how they got them and why they're not sending any more.

[mavhc]

Always found it weird people say web things don't need much ram or cpu, when it's web pages that use the most ram, and JS isn't native compiled code, so runs slower.

[Andycat]

11" Lenovo Celeron, 64gb MMC and 4gb RAM. Only device available to us. Think I'll wait....

 

Glad I waited... HP Laptops and iPads available today!!

[Cat_Jam148]

I went with the laptops last time...won't be making that mistake again

 

Cheers for the heads up regarding iPads being available

[enjay]

I logged in earlier, having had a email telling me I could order. No order button, but I did notice the email specifically said to reset my password. I did that in case it would somehow make the order button appear and now can't log in at all! Oddly, the site told me iPads weren't available, but @Andycat says they are.

[Andycat]

I logged in earlier, having had a email telling me I could order. No order button, but I did notice the email specifically said to reset my password. I did that in case it would somehow make the order button appear and now can't log in at all! Oddly, the site told me iPads weren't available, but @Andycat says they are.

 

I was told our allocation a while ago (29/10), but couldn't order. Then on 19/11, one inviting to order (only crappy Lenovo available). I've checked everyday, and today was first time anything else was available.