Please note that we have requested additional laptops from the government. There is no estimated time of arrival for these devices. During the lockdown period for the last academic year, we received delivery of laptops many weeks after our initial order had been put in. Please note that laptops issued are priority for disadvantaged students. Please click on this following link to see disadvantaged eligibility criteria as set out by the government: Pupil premium – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you have a laptop at home you can always share this device with your child, and in turn they can share this amongst siblings. Teachers will endeavour to post any work and resources to support learning that students need to complete on the Microsoft Teams platform so whilst they may not be able to access live learning they can still get their entitlement to remote education and complete any work at a later date/time.

If your child has a Mobile Phone/Tablet they are able to access live and remote learning. To ensure this is most effective, you can use Microsoft Word/PowerPoint for free on any device if you go to www.office.com and sign them in with their school account - for example: username@students.lodeheath.org.uk and their normal school password ​ If you are working on a mobile phone it might be a good idea to purchase a Bluetooth keyboard to make it easier when using office applications.

This government scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children and young people can access remote education if their face-to-face education is disrupted. Who can get help: We can request mobile data increases for children and young people who meet all 3 of these criteria: do not have fixed broadband at home cannot afford additional data for their devices are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education Children with access to a mobile phone on one of the following networks might be able to benefit: EE O2 Sky Mobile SMARTY Tesco Mobile Three Virgin Mobile Vodafone For more details, please click on the following link Increasing data allowances on mobile devices to support disadvantaged children - Get help with technology - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk) ​ Please complete all sections of the form below if you meet the criteria stipulated above and we will put in a request on your behalf. Please note that as a school we do not have any control over which requests are approved by this scheme. ​ Click here to complete the form

If your child has a mobile device that does not have access to wi-fi or data we are able to provide access via a Vodafone sim card. You simply add the sim card to the device, select your browser and it will connect to 4G. Please note that the speed and quality may depend on your location, also we have a limited availability. Please email cdunbar@lodeheath.org.uk for more details

​Xbox: 1. Plug a keyboard in to the Xbox USB slot (less than £10 from amazon) 2. Go in to my games and apps 3. Find Microsoft Edge and select 4. Type in Office 365 or office.com and log in as you would in school 5. You can then access your work and all the office products you need (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) 6. To move around you use the Xbox controller or plug in a mouse ​ PlayStation: 1. Identify the Playstation internet browser icon (it is WWW with dots around it) 2. Press the Playstation logo on the controller 3. Go to the library and find options for games and applications 4. Go into applications and you will find the internet browser 5. Type in Office 365 or office.com and log in as you would at school 6. You can then access your work and all the office products you need (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook)

If you continue to struggle to gain access to a device or internet access and as a result your child is unable to engage with remote learning your child automatically comes under the vulnerable criteria as set out by the government and as a result you are able to send your child into school to complete their work. Please notify office@lodeheath.org.uk if that is the case. ​ Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please find below step by step video guidance produced by one our students in Year 10 which shows how to access Microsoft Teams at home. This is aimed at both parents and students. ​In addition to this if you require technical support please contact IT via the email: helpdesk@lodeheath.org.uk If you would like additional support and would like to speak to one of our Teaching Assistants in regards to the video below, please email rcurran@lodeheath.org.uk in order to be booked in for a telephone call. Please note that these bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability.