A project to give all East Lothian secondary pupils their own laptop for learning is being rolled out across the local authority’s schools.
Digital technology is transforming all aspects of our lives. It’s important that our children and young people have a solid foundation that will allow them to use it appropriately and effectively, and to harness its potential.
- Individual chromebooks for all secondary pupils and increased stocks in primary schools
- Increasing digital access, literacy and skills for school and life
- Web-filtering system offers safe online environment whether on school or home network
East Lothian Council’s Learning, Connected initiative will see secondary pupils receive a Google Chromebook for use in school and at home which will remain with them from S1 to S6. The numbers of devices available in primary schools will also increase to one Chromebook for every two pupils as part of the scheme.
Increased access to technology
The project will increase access to technology in schools, improve digital literacy and allow learners to access resources tailored to their needs and pace. A new web-filtering system on all Chromebooks will provide a protected online environment whether they are used in school, at home or on any other network. A stakeholder agreement outlines expectations of all parties, including learners, parents and carers, for caring for the device and online behaviours.
Council-funded project
As no external money has been received, the project has been funded from the council’s existing education IT budgets and careful management of the devices’ lifespans. The rollout will be carried out in secondaries on a school-by-school basis by the end of June 2026 with primary stocks increasing over the same period.
"Investing in young people and their futures"
East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “Digital technology is transforming all aspects of our lives. It’s important that our children and young people have a solid foundation that will allow them to use it appropriately and effectively, and to harness its potential.
“Our Learning, Connected project is investing in young people and their futures. I am especially pleased we can commit to it at a time when budgets are so challenged.
“The rollout builds on the work already been undertaken in schools to increase access to, and use of, technology that supports the modern curriculum and assessment arrangements. This project will benefit our children and young people at school and for life beyond it.”