Parents were not informed throughout the process of collaboration with 'Easy4U'.

This should be optional for parents, and not compulsory.

The fee's for these laptops should all go through the school invoicing, and parents should not be expected to go out of their way to obtain a contact with a random company.

A meeting was organised on the 10th of June to inform parents of this decision months after it was made, and the school confirmed it's compulsory. Ethically speaking, this does not reflect Ashbridge's Ethos very well.

Parents have been advised they must contact this third party rental company to organise a 2 year / 3 year / 4 year contract to rent a Laptop which will be pre-programmed with the schools software on. No option to buy without any contract, no other options of better laptops / tablets.

Easy4U is a fairly new company with a bad reputation it seems. There are much better, more cost effective and more reliable companies such as Apple and Samsung who offer schools similar packages but these have not been considered.

If parents have multiple children at the school, then the parent must pay for a laptop per child. Children cannot share the laptops with siblings and each child must ensure they bring this laptop into school every single day alongside the other 3 bags they have to bring in.

Ashbridgeshould have sent out a questionnaire to all parents to ask for suggestions on how to improve their IT and Technology prior to making these decisions. There should have also been questions regarding parents views on using a third party lease company.

Finally, the money spent on a bang average laptop, could have been put towards developing / purchasing a better school app for all children to access from their home devices.

For example; Office 365 allows children to log on from home using their school email address and obtain access to the school apps, safely and securely. Why was this not considered?

Further facts:

• Easy4U's website mentions financial benefit to independent schools on their website -VAT Changes for Independent Schools: Rent or Lease Devices to Save'Our Easy4u rental model gives your school an adaptable and VAT-efficient alternative if you are looking for a way to navigate these challenges while continuing to deliver high quality modern education.'
• This rental company 'Easy4U' has 3 stars on Trust Pilot and is not a company with a good reputation - Easy4u UK Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of easy4u.school
• Other schools have attempted something similar and have been taken to court for doing so - School Causes Outrage by Asking Parents to Pay for £309 Laptops - Education Law Solicitors

If you object against this decision, please sign this petition and it will be presented to the school late June to consider their views.

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