Dear Parent/Carer,
Important Update: New Chromebook Scheme for Year 10 Students
I am writing to inform you about an important update to our Chromebook scheme for students entering Year 10 in September. This update is part of Leigh Academies Trust’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality digital access for all students while ensuring the scheme remains financially sustainable and educationally impactful.
What’s Changing and Why
From September, your child will be offered a brand-new Lenovo 300e Gen 4 Chromebook, with 8GB of memory, under a revised 1:1 Chromebook programme. This enhanced device has been selected to support students throughout their GCSE and post-16 studies, offering improved performance and reliability.
As part of this change, we are introducing a monthly parental contribution to cover the cost of repairs and warranty over the device’s 4-year lifespan (two years in Key Stage 4 and two years in post-16, if applicable). This ensures the Chromebook itself remains technically free, while the contribution guarantees access to a fully serviced and insured device throughout this period.
Unfortunately, without introducing a parental contribution, we would be unable to offer new devices due to the rising cost of technology and repairs. We have, however, committed to keep our costs at the lowest in the UK compared to other schools as well as offering reduced contribution rates to families eligible for pupil premium.
Parental Contribution Options
Families will have two options:
- Standard Contribution – from £5.99/month (or £3.99 for families eligible for Pupil Premium), covering:
- Repair and warranty service for 48 months
- Google Chrome licence and setup
- Safeguarding software and monitoring
Upon completing Year 13, families who have made parental contributions will be able to own the device outright. If your child leaves at the end of Year 11 you will have the option to return the device or pay a final contribution of £80 to retain the device.
- Or a Pre-Loved Device Option – for a limited number of families (1,200 available):
- A refurbished Chromebook to a similar specification
- Available at just £1/month
- Fully tested and serviced, with the same support package
The pre-loved device will be available for the next 2 years and at the end of Year 11 you would either return the device or if your child is continuing on to post-16 you will have the option to switch to a brand new device or another pre-loved device based on availability.
Next Steps
On 23rd June, your child’s academy will send you a personalised link to sign up for the scheme. This link will take you to a secure platform where you can choose your preferred device option and enter your payment details.
We understand that affordability is important for many families, which is why we’ve worked hard to keep this scheme among the most cost-effective in the country. For those who may struggle with payments, please contact your academy directly so we can explore options for support.
Thank you for your continued support and your understanding of these changes.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Taylor
Deputy CEO (Operations)
Leigh Academies Trust
