Need-to-know: DfE announces funded support for digital education platforms and details on access to devices

What's available?

The Department for Education has partnered with Google and Microsoft to support schools and trusts to start using a free-to-use digital education platform. 

You're now able to register to receive:

• Funded support from an accredited partner to get set up on either G Suite for Education or Office 365 Education
• Free training on how to use the platform, through online resources, webinars and peer-to-peer support between schools

You're eligible for this support if you:

• Don't currently have a digital education platform; or
• Are already using Office 365 or G Suite, but are not yet set up to assign work and communicate with pupils

What about laptops and tablets?

According to DfE guidance and a letter being sent to schools and responsible bodies today, laptops and tablets are available for the most disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access. This applies to: 

• Care leavers
• Children with a social worker (including pre-school children)
• Disadvantaged children in year 10, ahead of GCSEs next year

For year 10 pupils, academy trusts and local authorities (LAs) are responsible for ordering devices. These devices will be delivered directly to schools, for you to distribute them to allocated families.

For care leavers and children with a social worker, LAs are responsible for ordering devices. They'll distribute them when they arrive, liaising with schools to help with this as necessary. 

Trusts and LAs can register to order devices from today.

• Care leavers
• Young people aged 11 to 19 with a social worker
• Disadvantaged children in year 10

The DfE says you'll receive correspondence explaining how you can request 4G internet hotspots for those who need them.