The Device

Which device is used in the First to Fifth Year and why?

We use Surface Pro 7+/8 with an active stylus and keyboard. The Surface Pro is the only device that offers the flexibility of use that provides the richness in the classroom necessary to offer our pupils the best possible learning experience.

Why have you chosen a comparatively expensive device?

The Surface Pro with active stylus and keyboard has an excellent track-record in schools. Other devices are of lower quality. We focus on providing our pupils with the best possible learning experience and for this we require the best possible device.

Why is the device not a standard laptop?

A standard laptop does not provide the richness of experience in the classroom that we require to give our pupils the best possible learning experience. Adopting a standard laptop may result in our pupils spending time ‘staring at a screen’ rather than actively engaging in a wide variety of learning activities. This is exactly what we wish to avoid. We focus on providing our pupils with the best possible learning experience and for this we require the best possible device.

Why is the device not a tablet?

A tablet has a very small screen and does not offer the full versions of software accessed on a laptop or 2-in-1 device. The larger iPad Pro offers an active stylus but does not use the full versions of the commercial Office 365 software that your child will use in future study and employment.

How do arrangements differ in the Godolphin Sixth?

In Godolphin Sixth we wish to continue to give pupils the freedom to choose their own device. In alignment with our mission to enable our pupils to “go out into the fast-paced modern world and thrive” and driven by consultation with Godolphin Sixth, we offer our pupils the opportunity to supply their own device with an active stylus. This gives our pupils the opportunity to participate fully in our digital-first approach to teaching and learning whilst getting used to the device that they will use when they finally leave Godolphin.