All Teaching Staff Getting Laptops - Anyone got an expectations form ?

[JazzFlute]

5 minutes ago, PotNoodleTech said:

TBH - I never said they couldnt have laptops - just that hot desking laptops in classrooms is bad compared to permanent hard wired teacher pcs with 100% uptime no batteries to charge no plugs to bend/break nothing to forget.

 

New Teacher PCs here in every room and office with an 86" board and 2 x 27" screens, and then as you say is needed, chromebooks for the staff to take home and work.

 

They love it.

 

It's technically superior, and cheaper per 7 year lifecycle.

 

 

 

Seems like a good set up, also with a Microsoft365/Google Workspace school then moving between a classroom PC and Laptop/Chromebook is seamless, sign into Edge/Chrome and all browsing tabs open follow you around.  Better than hunching over a classroom laptop bending down looking at a 15 inch screen with half the webpage you see on a bigger monitor displayed and small keyboard/trackpad to use, authority's used to take DSE guidelines seriously years back but with the creation of MATS not so much now.

 

[mavhc]

1 minute ago, UpTheWolves said:

 

Seems like a good set up, also with a Microsoft365/Google Workspace school then moving between a classroom PC and Laptop/Chromebook is seamless, sign into Edge/Chrome and all browsing tabs open follow you around.  Better than hunching over a classroom laptop bending down looking at a 15 inch screen with half the webpage you see on a bigger monitor displayed and small keyboard/trackpad to use, authority's used to take DSE guidelines seriously years back but with the creation of MATS not so much now.

 

Sadly it's impossible to buy a keyboard/mouse for a laptop, or attach a screen, or buy a stand.

 

What's your setup to allow the tabs to auto load in the browser, and how does it merge new tabs back to their laptop?

 

How do you cope with OneDrive/Sharepoint/GDrive syncing?

 

What do you do about non browser apps?

[JazzFlute]

10 minutes ago, mavhc said:

With a Desktop: Having to login to Windows, Office, Onedrive, then wait for it to sync everything, then load up your apps, documents, websites etc for the lesson, in the 0 minutes of free time you have after you get into the classroom makes carrying a laptop much easier, plug in one usb-c cable, done.

 

Shutting down: I never bother, would the same super annoying thing as above. If the computer goes weird, restart it, otherwise just close the lid and it's sleeping, if that's not working you've bought terrible laptops, it's 2025 and you're acting like it's 1990.

 

With SSO all of what you have described takes 20 seconds max on modest half decent kit, no problem whatsoever.

[JazzFlute]

2 minutes ago, mavhc said:

Sadly it's impossible to buy a keyboard/mouse for a laptop, or attach a screen, or buy a stand.

 

What's your setup to allow the tabs to auto load in the browser, and how does it merge new tabs back to their laptop?

 

How do you cope with OneDrive/Sharepoint/GDrive syncing?

 

What do you do about non browser apps?

 

Yeah so you buy all those accessories to make a better workstation for the teacher and comply with DSE guidelines and maybe buy them a backpack to store them in and you near enough have a desktop PC in a bag 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

[JazzFlute]

5 minutes ago, mavhc said:

Sadly it's impossible to buy a keyboard/mouse for a laptop, or attach a screen, or buy a stand.

 

What's your setup to allow the tabs to auto load in the browser, and how does it merge new tabs back to their laptop?

 

How do you cope with OneDrive/Sharepoint/GDrive syncing?

 

What do you do about non browser apps?

 

Sign into Microsoft Edge on both devices, use the edge homepage to add your favourite 20 website shortcuts and that's all you need, teachers/staff then can customise Edge homepage to whatever websites they use as teaching/support/admin staff will be different.  Passwords saved etc. truly a seamless experience.

[mavhc]

35 minutes ago, UpTheWolves said:

 

Yeah so you buy all those accessories to make a better workstation for the teacher and comply with DSE guidelines and maybe buy them a backpack to store them in and you near enough have a desktop PC in a bag 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

Wasn't the idea to leave the accessories in the classroom, so it's just 1 cable to connect for power/accessories/screens?

[mavhc]

41 minutes ago, UpTheWolves said:

 

With SSO all of what you have described takes 20 seconds max on modest half decent kit, no problem whatsoever.

So you're not syncing onedrive/sharepoint to the computer?

[PotNoodleTech]

54 minutes ago, UpTheWolves said:

 

Seems like a good set up, also with a Microsoft365/Google Workspace school then moving between a classroom PC and Laptop/Chromebook is seamless, sign into Edge/Chrome and all browsing tabs open follow you around.  Better than hunching over a classroom laptop bending down looking at a 15 inch screen with half the webpage you see on a bigger monitor displayed and small keyboard/trackpad to use, authority's used to take DSE guidelines seriously years back but with the creation of MATS not so much now.

 

 

This is exactly my point but so many people don't seem to get it.  Oh well!

 

All I know is often, when other teachers come from other schools they're like "holy cow this is awesome I hate my 11 inch laptop that they force us to use"

 

My teachers don't have bad backs bad necks or bad eyes.

Edited June 24, 2025 by PotNoodleTech

[JazzFlute]

4 minutes ago, mavhc said:

So you're not syncing onedrive/sharepoint to the computer?

 

Yes after the initial sync which will vary in time depending on files etc subsequent sync is just processing any changes so not noticeable and runs on logon automatically. There's a few OneDrive mappers out there but recommend Burconix as not tried the rest.

[JazzFlute]

2 minutes ago, PotNoodleTech said:

 

This is exactly my point but so many people don't seem to get it.  Oh well!

 

All I know is often, when other teachers come from other schools they're like "holy cow this is awesome I hate my 11 inch laptop that they force us to use"

 

My teachers don't have bad backs bad necks or bad eyes.

 

100% this. lots of benefits having a dedicated classroom PC and separate staff devices. One big one is if the classroom PC does become unusable/breaks/crashes etc. then staff laptop can be used wirelessly mirrored to the screen and takes seconds.  Guarantee you fixed network/classroom PC's have more uptime than a wandering laptop which results in more hours teaching and learning which is ultimately what schools are for.

[psydii]

Once upon a time it was impossible to get desktops to offer the flexibility offered by the laptop experience. It also took a fairly thorough understanding of Windows,  Group Policy, AV equipment, and supply chain management to get laptops to provide the reliability of a desktop environment.

 

On the Desktop to Laptop gap, Chrome/Edge and GoogleDrive/OneDrive have (almost completely) closed that.

On the Laptop to Desktop gap, SoCs, Modern Standby, Intune defaults, and USB C/HDMI have (almost completely) closed that.

 

These days I'm pretty sure its a philosophical difference. either side can put forward what they believe to be the killer argument.  Last time we (were forced to) pivot back to desktops a significant chunk of staff left. When we pivoted back the other way, several mid-tier (b-grade IMHO) senior managers left as they did not 'get it'.

 

I know what it would take for us to pivot again, and it would destroy the school as it exists. 

 

Could I take over and happily run a school IT service that was set up as Potnoodle's? Yes, and if the users were happy I would not force or even suggest changing it. If you are doing it well, and the users are happy and it is "how things are done here" it takes courage (in the Yes Minister sense, not the Apple/Schiller way)  to throw it away in favour of the alternative -  unless of course you are trying to change the culture of the school, and so we are back to philosophical differences.

[mavhc]

Given the time it takes to login, then wait for windows metro apps to do their updating thing, load a browser, wait for it to sync my passwords and shortcuts, then go to history>tabs from other devices>realise there's no actual way to open them all at once in Chrome, and I can't even get history syncing to work on Edge, start searching for the documents I want to use in my lesson again, except there's no index so that's slow, wait for onedrive to sync my files/entire sharepoint libraries, load word, excel, powerpoint, python ide, accept 80 billion cookies, load the 20 files/documents I want for this lesson, I'd rather just open my laptop, wait 5 seconds, and unlock it with my fingerprint

[psydii]

11 minutes ago, mavhc said:

Given the time it takes to login, then wait for windows metro apps to do their updating thing, load a browser, wait for it to sync my passwords and shortcuts, then go to history>tabs from other devices>realise there's no actual way to open them all at once in Chrome, and I can't even get history syncing to work on Edge, start searching for the documents I want to use in my lesson again, except there's no index so that's slow, wait for onedrive to sync my files/entire sharepoint libraries, load word, excel, powerpoint, python ide, accept 80 billion cookies, load the 20 files/documents I want for this lesson, I'd rather just open my laptop, wait 5 seconds, and unlock it with my fingerprint

To play devil's advocate for a moment.... If you've got a fleet of reasonable machines (at least Zen2 or Core 8th gen with 8GB and a 256GB NVME ssd), Windows is  "fine" if you regularly hot desk across a small number of devices, and your user profile doesn't get wiped between sessions.  I imagine its also fine if you are mostly a Google workspace school so don't care about all of the Windows bits and bobs, and just need Chrome to be launched (Windows gets its stuff done at leisure in the background,  no harm if it takes 5 seconds or 10 minutes!) 

 

The laptop-first champion  in me wants to counter my counter-points there, but they too can be countered etc etc. Here just opening  the laptop's lid and you are working wins for us. Horses for courses.

 

[nicholab]

Install universal print drivers for the big brands like HP, Epson, Canon & Lexmark.  Enable the use of Quick Support to remotely access machines, saving time.

[NegativeKillDeath]

2 hours ago, mavhc said:

Given the time it takes to login, then wait for windows metro apps to do their updating thing, load a browser, wait for it to sync my passwords and shortcuts, then go to history>tabs from other devices>realise there's no actual way to open them all at once in Chrome, and I can't even get history syncing to work on Edge, start searching for the documents I want to use in my lesson again, except there's no index so that's slow, wait for onedrive to sync my files/entire sharepoint libraries, load word, excel, powerpoint, python ide, accept 80 billion cookies, load the 20 files/documents I want for this lesson, I'd rather just open my laptop, wait 5 seconds, and unlock it with my fingerprint

And there will be a counter argument about the 10 minutes wasted trying to get the laptop to connect with the IWB/Screen/Speakers. Or the teacher having to use a borrowed laptop and experiencing all your issues. I get that you are exaggerating for effect but Edge sync works fine, a drive mapper or files on demand negate the sync issue, no-one really needs 20 files for a 55 minute lesson, a well organise sharepoint library/onedrive means searching is less of an issue. And teachers regularly use the same room for the whole day. I know thats not the case verywhere but its a failing of the timetable if most staff have to keep moving rooms. 

[Koldov]

7 minutes ago, NegativeKillDeath said:

And there will be a counter argument about the 10 minutes wasted trying to get the laptop to connect with the IWB/Screen/Speakers. Or the teacher having to use a borrowed laptop and experiencing all your issues. I get that you are exaggerating for effect but Edge sync works fine, a drive mapper or files on demand negate the sync issue, no-one really needs 20 files for a 55 minute lesson, a well organise sharepoint library/onedrive means searching is less of an issue. And teachers regularly use the same room for the whole day. I know thats not the case verywhere but its a failing of the timetable if most staff have to keep moving rooms. 

 

As said in a previous post, it's whatever suits the environment best, the teaching styles and the rooms. There are benefits and drawbacks to both options depending on how they are being used. This is definitely more about how things are generally managed, what resources are needed and what platforms are being used.

All our teachers have laptops and have done since I started here over 15 years ago. IIRC there were classroom computers, but they were old and failing even then and were in awkward places. Each time (yearly) some of the teachers moved rooms, they wanted their desk in a different place etc. Of course you could tell them they can't... but when has that ever gone down well and been backed by the SLT...?

We are a small school and use local file servers, so no SharePoint/OneDrive/GoogleDrive etc. They only have one device, so no profile issues or syncing issues with browsers or files. We're also on LTSC, so no apps to worry about. They all know how to attach a laptop to an interactive screen, projector, speakers, visualiser etc. Generally teachers take their classes in the same room all day but every laptop is set-up the same and each room's IT is set-up the same, so even if they go to a different class it all just plugs in the same. Laptop damage happens, but judging by posts on here, it is very minimal. they can take them home if they want to work in the evening, or over the holidays... in a different room for their PPA, that's up to them.

[mavhc]

1 hour ago, NegativeKillDeath said:

And there will be a counter argument about the 10 minutes wasted trying to get the laptop to connect with the IWB/Screen/Speakers. Or the teacher having to use a borrowed laptop and experiencing all your issues. I get that you are exaggerating for effect but Edge sync works fine, a drive mapper or files on demand negate the sync issue, no-one really needs 20 files for a 55 minute lesson, a well organise sharepoint library/onedrive means searching is less of an issue. And teachers regularly use the same room for the whole day. I know thats not the case verywhere but its a failing of the timetable if most staff have to keep moving rooms. 

 

Can't the the argument that they're not moving rooms though, as that's the same argument for taking ages to plug in the laptop, so it still boils down to (time to connect laptop vs login) vs (cost of laptops vs cost of desktops + whatever they do at home/not in a classroom)

 

With docking stations making it just 1 cable, that's helpful.

 

Now how to I get Edge to sync history? I click History>Tabs from other devices, and it wants me to start syncing history, but clicking that button does nothing, don't see any GPO settings banning it, weird

[nicholab]

You have a problem if you have desktop you need a desktop too in the staff break out area, in the classroom and staff room.  Also how does remote access work do you have an AVD environment?  If every member of staff has a laptop/device that less total devices.  I also think the model of casting to a screen is a great saving on cost vs £3k stuck on the wall.

[NegativeKillDeath]

15 hours ago, mavhc said:

Now how to I get Edge to sync history? I click History>Tabs from other devices, and it wants me to start syncing history, but clicking that button does nothing, don't see any GPO settings banning it, weird

Its just one of the things that gets synced by default when you sign in to Edge with your work account. There are GPOs to turn off this, you can configure which parts you want synced. Here you can see the pages I had open last night when I logged in to Edge at home. 

 

I don't think theres an objectively better set up. I'm not a teacher but if I were then I could see the pros and cons of both. I'd quite like the idea of logging on to a well set up desktop and "know" that its all set up for the board and that I could just open what I need for that lesson and not worry about research tabs or documents being open. I'd like the idea of not having to carry a laptop between classrooms. But on the other hand a well set up docking station set up is close to as reliable and the ability to have synced copies of any cloud documents available locally to counter any internet issues would be reassuring. 

[nicholab]

Only I would say is SLT and head teacher should have the same laptops as staff and take there own medicine! The other thing is we have Dell laptops that have screw holes to take the think apart.  Do not get surface devices if you want to repair it.

[mthomas08]

12 hours ago, nicholab said:

You have a problem if you have desktop you need a desktop too in the staff break out area, in the classroom and staff room.  Also how does remote access work do you have an AVD environment?  If every member of staff has a laptop/device that less total devices.  I also think the model of casting to a screen is a great saving on cost vs £3k stuck on the wall.

 

Different factors.. pros and cons.

If you have good responsible staff and damages are rare, then laptops are useful - especially if your classrooms are built for them.

 

If setup for desktops like us - sticking to desktops makes sense. We gave teachers laptops left over from the DfE and they were more of a nuisance compared to desktops by far. Even though desktops out number our laptops 10-1.

 

We've had lost chargers - to the point we have none left. Not cheap unless you find non branded (then we need 7 different types).

Damaged screens and keyboards aren't cheap not forgetting repair time.

Then we have complaints because they want to plug in equipment and some models are HDMI only.. or VGA only.. or not enough USB slots..

Dead batteries... a major problem. Most of our laptops are onboard..

 

That's before we discuss price differences. We spend about £250 per PC and our oldest are about 11 years old and I can't see us replacing them for another 2-3 years. Think our oldest laptop is about 7-8 years old and on their last legs. Damaged or dead batteries within 4-5 years = scrapped.

 

My previous job had laptops instead of desktops because we were built for it. The classrooms didn't have much equipment at the time but we still had the occasional VGA lead damaged.

Stolen laptops.. lost laptops.. damaged laptops..  and generally purchased 20-30 laptops a year to cover replacements (for about 100 teachers). I barely have the budget to replace 20-30 PCs annually at the moment to cover 800+ PCS.

 

As for the paper work agreement - I'd list everything possible and even double sided. Mention the AUP and school policies. Although it isn't an official contract, it does encourage staff to think about it. Simple things like:

Work device - use appropriately.

Assigend to you - not yours to keep.

Not to allow family members to use the laptop.

Laptop encryption - keep the password secure.

If using in public, please keep the screen out of view particularly when containing personal details.

Do not leave unlocked/unattended especially in public.

Although limited access - do not attempt to install anything.

Any problems - contact IT support.

 

Looks like people have covered most things, just need to word it all in a nice professional manner. 

[mavhc]

1 hour ago, nicholab said:

Only I would say is SLT and head teacher should have the same laptops as staff and take there own medicine! The other thing is we have Dell laptops that have screw holes to take the think apart.  Do not get surface devices if you want to repair it.

the newer surface devices are supposed to be repairable https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/surface/surface-customer-self-repair-surface

[psydii]

2 hours ago, mthomas08 said:

Stolen laptops.. lost laptops.. damaged laptops..  and generally purchased 20-30 laptops a year to cover replacements (for about 100 teachers). I barely have the budget to replace 20-30 PCs annually at the moment to cover 800+ PCS

I'm pretty sure your refresh strategy isn't going to work in the long term. At a rate of 20 desktops per year it will take you 40 years to replace your fleet.  10 years at a push seems to be the outer edge of what is possible on Windows at the moment, and keeping in compliance with cyber-security insurance policies, that likely reduces that to between 5-7 years depending on the OEM's support policy.

 

Of course laptops will have higher attrition even when considered to have the same refresh cadence as desktops, but then we're into your org's approach to  cost/benefit  (philosophy again).

 

Our Laptop refresh is also roughly 1/5th of the fleet per year. We get 6-7 years out of each cohort (less attrition), with the oldest (surviving) getting cycled out, which gives us a bit of a buffer. We have contingency plans should the 6-7 year old devices suddenly stop getting firmware updates, but thus far the OEM has been matching Apple in that regard (despite "officially" being out of support). The devices are considered a cost of having people, so I am not constrained to the quantities I predicted during the budget planning cycle. Of course if the spend starts to diverge significant from expected, there are discussions, but IT spend is (somewhat) a function of staffing and activities undertaken (courses, projects etc), and flexibility is required.

 

FWIW in our context a £250 desktop PC is not going to cut it. If there was significant change to the school's vision, ethos, philosophy, core sense of being, and we ditched most of our halo subjects that differentiate us from most of the "competition", then they absolutely would be (I've just built a 4 core, 16G 1Tb nuc for that price), and the laptop vs desktop cost/benefit calculus would need to be reconsidered.  But also I'm not at all sure a £250 computer is that likely to be getting oem firmware updates beyond 3 years, though I haven't looked into it.

[psydii]

2 hours ago, mthomas08 said:

word it all in a nice professional manner

I use the "..violate rule 1" line at staff induction (when we're on-boarding large groups, not in a 1:1 session) it gets a laugh and makes the point, and reminds them of rule 1.

[mattysmith80]

Thank you for all the responses, I can see its caused quite a bit of debate... Ive got some info now for putting together some "expections" of the staff when they are given a device. Thank you