Dear Families,

As you will be aware, schools across the nation are turning to online platforms to enable students to continue to learn whilst they remain closed to most children. We have been actively using FireFly as our platform in combination with Office 365.

In the short-term…

Even though the signs appear to be that all students will return to regular schooling in September, we still anticipate that there will be some physical distancing and other mitigation procedures which will mean that things are not quite back to normal for some time. The government has also indicated that should we experience a “second spike” of coronavirus cases, a further lockdown may be a possible response.

In the long-term…

We will continue to use technology as part of our learning provision and will increasingly use online learning platforms to supplement face-to-face teaching. In the next few weeks we will outline a revised Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy and, increasingly, we will expect students to bring in their own devices into school to support learning.

Making technology for learning more accessible

With the short and long-term in mind, we have been looking into ways in which we can ensure that all students have access to a device which will enable them to access our online learning platform on a larger screen and with greater functionality than a mobile phone provides. We have therefore joined forces with a company called Freedom Technology to launch a programme that will allow parents/guardians to purchase Chromebooks at favourable rates, from £12.75 per month, over up to three school years (or the option to purchase outright without VAT).

Please see the accompanying leaflet for further information about the scheme, within which we are recommending the purchase of Chromebooks because of their combined functionality and affordability.

The leaflet also details frequently asked questions, details of how to place an order and who to contact for further information, including financial support. Please note that there is a time constrained window for ordering that closes on Monday 10^th August 2020.

We are, of course, able to provide some financial support to the parents/guardians of those students that are in receipt of the Pupil Premium.

• Pupil Premium and presently in receipt of Free School Meals – 40% of the cost will be paid by Tytherington School
• Pupil Premium and not presently in receipt of Free School Meals – 30% of the cost will be paid by Tytherington School

If you are a parent/guardian of a student in receipt of the Pupil Premium, and would like access to the above subsidies, please email apilbury@tytheringtonschool.co.uk and we will check our records and send you the appropriate link for ordering with the subsidy.

We recognise that, at this time, there may be others that are facing financial hardship. Therefore, please do get in touch if you require support.

We hope that this link with Freedom Technology is beneficial to you and please to get in touch if you have any questions.

Best wishes,

Mr Emmanuel Botwe – Headteacher

Please download the letter and leaflet here: