DfE laptops: replacing safeguarding software

[mrcumming]

The license for the safeguarding/filtering software on the DfE laptops that were given to schools runs out (finally) in September.

 

What are folks doing/using to replace these at that point so that loaned laptops still meet the safeguarding standards? We're not finding it easy to find the right solution - and also are very mindful of the additional costs!

[jezi55]

We have currently provisioned a lot of the devices to work on site in our classrooms but use Smoothwall cloud filter to lock down internet usage on the windows devices/chromebooks. If you are currently a Smoothwall customer i believe this service is free of charge.

 

With laptops that go offsite we setup local user accounts with a few local GPOs to block them installing software etc.

[chazzy2501]

nothing, just taking it off and giving it to the pupils.. enjoy!

 

These devices are not used on site for us and we are not offering support, so I'm not bothered.

[tmoon-mint]

Started a similar thread just before Christmas and I went for Senso.cloud | Cloud-Based Remote IT Monitoring and Management

[mrcumming]

How is the SENSO working? Were there any other alternatives? I tried searching but couldnt find the thread..

[tmoon-mint]

Securly and Lightspeed were the alternatives offered. I purely went with Senso because of the miniscule deadline I had been given to get something sorted and they offered me a free trial to cover the christmas holidays.

 

Filtering at home on managed Chromebooks (edugeek.net)

 

The support was very good and it was super easy to get setup.

[stevenlong1985]

turning them into chromebooks for students to borrow

[Tefters]

nothing, just taking it off and giving it to the pupils.. enjoy!

 

These devices are not used on site for us and we are not offering support, so I'm not bothered.

This but with a consent letter signed by parents stating that what they surf on the devices is the responsibility of the parent on their own internet.

If they are not happy with this then they don't get a laptop. No skin off my nose.

[DrBeaker]

Thing is - surely this is a problem the government has created and just washed their hands off by the looks of it?

 

That's my 2 cents.

 

We're all now having to look for a tech solution, to a problem, which was never a school problem to start with - and raises the undervalued IT staff issue that's topical at the moment with a lot of IT pros by schools having to commit limited time and resources to find a solution?

[Tefters]

Thing is - surely this is a problem the government has created and just washed their hands off by the looks of it?

 

That's my 2 cents.

 

We're all now having to look for a tech solution, to a problem, which was never a school problem to start with - and raises the undervalued IT staff issue that's topical at the moment with a lot of IT pros by schools having to commit limited time and resources to find a solution?

 

Yes and No.

 

Yes the government created a problem at the same time as creating a solution, no surprise there... They wanted to can the Azure AD and Computacenter agreement after 1 year because of the cost until the survey results came back from all the schools saying "No, we have not got time to reset and manage all the devices you gave us", so they had to no choice but to do it for a second year.

 

My school went stupidly click happy and we now have a PC world warehouse of 200+ laptops when we only really needed 60 to 90. Have i found time over the last 2 years to reset them all, no. Will I, no. Are half of them (actually more like 60%) still boxed unused... No comment...

 

As and when they are required for "this student needs one because of XYZ" then I will have to reset the OS and have a parent consent letter signed.

We are simply a hardware loan supplier, the laptops are for home use only therefore they are locked down to a normal user profile with some very basic GPO settings to stop installing things (even though they can still install user profile only apps) and handed out. For school resources they are directed to remote desktop or office 365.

 

If a loan laptop is needed within school then its one of our own purchased laptops deemed fit for domain use governed by our domain GPO's and covered by our web filtering.

 

I get we need to help parents as much as possible but if Jonny is surfing god knows what at home on a school device and the parent does not like it then simply bring the device back to us and they will have to stay after school to complete work on a device within our 4 walls. Schools cannot afford the time, money and expertise to be managing loan devices at home. Its an unreasonable ask.

 

 

If the school were planning their own 1:1 device implementation like my school are (iPads) then thats different and something that is planned in and accounted for costing wise/lease wise.

Edited May 19, 2022 by Tefters

[paulkerton]

We are using Lightspeed Filter, but are making it clear that the alert area of filtering is only monitored between 8am and 4pm weekdays and during term-time.