Wednesday 6^th January, 2021

Increasing data allowances on mobile devices to support disadvantaged children

Dear Parents and Carers,

Yesterday the government announced a scheme that temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children can access remote education whilst the school is partially closed and in school, face-face lessons are not running.

The school can request mobile data increases for children who:

• do not have fixed broadband at home
• cannot afford additional data for their devices
• are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education

However, to date, it is only available if your phone is on one of the following networks:

• Three
• Smarty
• Virgin Mobile
• EE
• Tesco Mobile
• Sky Mobile

Although other providers may join the scheme at a later stage.

In order for the school to apply for this increased data, you will need to complete the attached form stating:

• the name of the account holder
• the number of the mobile device
• the mobile network of that device (for example Three)

Obviously the school will hold all data securely and in line with GDPR guidelines.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8YEP-X1t10auMM11H_Z7Wkghx9FoTw1Ekk4_CuAbUWZUOU8zOUlIWkJMUEo5UERaTDlEUzBRNTRJSi4u

Finally, if increasing mobile data isn’t a suitable option for you, the school can also request 4G wireless routers. Government guidance states that this may be an option for families if:

• the extra data for mobile devices option is not suitable
• there’s more than one child in the household who needs to learn remotely
• a mobile phone or tablet (tethered or not) is not regularly available for the child’s use
• frequent phone calls to the mobile phone being used tend to interrupt school work
• the child is likely to access the internet without supervision

It is vitally important that your child’s education continues digitally whilst they are remote learning.  The school will not be sending out any paper pack during this lockdown and it is your responsibility to ensure your child has access to their education.  Obviously, the school will do everything it possibly can to support this and will be contacting those families who might be eligible to loan one of the limited government digital device as soon as possible – please be patient as we have to await their arrival and build them so that children are able to use them.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Sharpe

Headteacher