1:1 Devices for 2025-2026 – FAQ

This page was last updated: 13th May 2025

The device

Q. Is this optional?
No. The College is required to integrate digital technology into its teaching and learning and a 1:1 device is a key requirement to this.

There are significant reforms coming into the Senior Cycle, similar to what has happened in recent years to the Junior Cycle. Many subjects with practical aspects – such as PE, Computer Science, Geography, History and Religion – carry digital portfolio elements. Being already familiar with technology and methods used will make this process far easier and less stressful when the time comes.

Q. Can I bring my own device?

No. This is for several reasons:

  • The devices are supplied with the restrictions applied from the start. Trying to retrospectively apply restrictions is extremely difficult to impossible, depending on the device and operating system used.
  • Every device is the same when the device is supplied via the College. This makes training of students more straightforward, avoids differences in functionality in the classroom and makes device support far simpler.
  • Not all devices will have the specifications required – such as WiFi connectivity, battery life, or operating system – to work effectively in a classroom.

Q. Why have you changed from an Apple iPad to a Microsoft device for incoming 1st years?

Following an extensive review process, we have identified a number of key reasons to change to a Microsoft device from this year:

  • Better warranty and inclusive accidental damage cover
  • Microsoft Windows aligns more closely with the Microsoft Office365 tools used in St. Vincent’s Castleknock College
  • Microsoft Windows is preferred by industry and better supports longer form work
  • Microsoft Windows came through as the more familiar (and preferred) choice amongst staff and parents being surveyed
  • Having reviewed peer schools, a number have also made the same switch either this year or in recent years
  • Tablets limit effectiveness for essays, project and portfolio work, which will be of particular importance to incoming 1st year who will receive the full suite of changes to Senior Cycle
  • Previous limitations around securing Microsoft devices have since been resolved.

Q. Have iPads been dropped for 2nd to 4th year students?

No. iPads will still be used as before for 2nd to 4th year students.

Q. Is there a discount if two siblings are purchasing devices from the same supplier?
Educational Pricing Support is applied to each and every device, so there aren’t any additional discounts available.

Q. Are all software licensing costs included or will there be additional charges as time goes on?
There may be additional costs in the form of apps required for specific subjects. These will appear as booklist items and payable to the College directly prior to the start of each year.

The price you pay for the Microsoft device bundle will cover all services and support for the device itself for 5 years of hardware service and support including accidental damage, and 6 years of software service and support.

For those with iPads, you are covered for 2 years of hardware service and support excluding accidental damage, and 6 years of software service and support.

Q. Will these devices replace laptops for children who currently use laptops for learning support?
Yes. The 1:1 device will become the device for use within school. For further information on this, please contact the AEN department directly.

Q. What if my son had accepted an offer in another school, purchased a device for that school, but has now accepted a late offer to the College?

Please contact helpdesk@castleknockcollege.ie with the following:

  • The make and model of the device
  • The supplier you purchased the device from
  • The serial number of the device.

If the device can be used then we can arrange to transfer it into our school environment. There may be a charge for this.

However if the device is not suitable then unfortunately we will be unable to do so and you will have to purchase a device from our supplier’s own store.

Q. Can my son not just use his phone?
No. Phone usage in the College will be banned. Phones must be kept powered off in your son’s locker during the school day. Use of phones during school time will lead to the phone being confiscated. Confiscated phones can be collected at the end of the school day from Reception by a parent only.

Q. Can my son charge his device in school?

Our classrooms have a very limited number of available sockets. We would encourage students to always bring their device to school fully charged.

Q. Does a charge last the entire day?

Our devices come with an average of 10 hours operating life on a charge. While the length of a charge decreases with age, it is still expected your son’s device would have enough charge to get through a school day by the time they come to 6th year.

Here are some useful tips for maximising battery life:

  • Turn the device off at the end of the day/evening, as opposed to putting it to sleep
  • Don’t leave the device plugged into the charger for more than 24+ hours
  • Don’t leave the device uncharged for lengthy periods of time (14+ days)
  • Don’t let the charge level go below 20% frequently
  • Never store the device for long periods (30+ days) either fully charged or completely empty.

Q. How will the College deal with lost/forgotten/damaged devices?
To assist with forgotten devices, students will use their own head and shoulders photograph as the lock screen wallpaper. If the device is left behind in a classroom when anyone turns on or wakes the device up they will see the owners face as the wallpaper.

For 1st years, your Microsoft device comes with an included accidental damage warranty in the bundle. Optional insurance is available to extend cover to loss and theft.

For 2nd years and up, accidental damage, loss and theft is not covered by default for iPads. Optional insurance is available which will extend cover for this.

In all cases the student is responsible for caring for, and keeping safe, their own device.

Q. Who owns the device?

The device is owned by you/your son. Restrictions are applied centrally by the College while your son is a student here.

Q. Is the device powerful enough to run software such as SolidWorks (for Design and Communication Graphics)?

No. The cost of a laptop capable of running SolidWorks exceeds €1,000. As your son will not know at this stage whether he wishes to study DCG it is cost prohibitive to specify a device capable of running the software for all students on the off chance they might study DCG in future years. However the College does have computer rooms equipped with dedicated SolidWorks workstations that can be used.

Q. What happens to the device when my son leaves?

The restrictions applied to the device will be lifted. Please be aware that in most cases a factory reset or wipe is required to fully remove all restrictions.

Q. Can my son use the device in 3rd Level?

Yes. The device is theirs to keep and use once they leave the College. Please be aware that in most cases a factory reset or wipe is required to fully remove all restrictions.

eBooks

Q. Are eBooks replacing textbooks?

No. All subjects still require a textbook. We will use a blended text and eBook approach to learning.

Q. What are the costs of subscribing to the publishers electronic versions in addition to the purchase of text books?
Our booklists ensure that the chosen textbook for each subject includes a bundled eBook with the paper copy. There is no additional cost for the eBook.

Q. How do we add new books onto the device e.g. in 5th year when new subjects/curriculum starts?
When you receive your new books in fifth year, these will come supplied with the eBook redemption code.

Q. Will books remain at home and devices go to school?
Some teachers may wish to use the textbook in the class. If that is the case, the book can be left in your son’s locker in the College and the eBook used at home. Other teachers may use the eBook in class, in which case the book can either be left at home or in your son’s locker.

There is absolutely no reason why your son should be bringing all books for all subjects in and out to school with him each day.

Q. Can I reuse an eBook previously used for my son’s older brother?

You can access an eBook on another device by using the original e-mail address that redeemed the eBook to sign into the chosen publisher app.

Q. Can I use eBooks for textbooks purchased second hand?

Unfortunately not. Publishers have determined that the bundled eBook redemption code can only be redeemed once by the book’s first owner.

Q. Can I sell on my eBook?

No. The eBook can only be redeemed by the original purchaser of the textbook and cannot be transferred or redeemed a second time.

Q. Can I just buy the eBook?

No. The College is using a blended approach – both the textbook and the eBook are required.

Security

Q. Will schoolwork be saved to the Cloud?
Yes. The Microsoft Office365 suite of apps including Teams and OneNote is used widely in the College. All data is saved to the cloud using these services.

Q. How does my son ensure all of his files are saved securely and won’t be lost or deleted?

We will run computer classes for all incoming first years from September showing them how to save, store and organise their work and files.

Q. What restrictions are in place on the device?

We use a combination of Microsoft Intune and JamF for device management in the College. This implements a number of restrictions including:

  • Only specified apps can be accessed and loaded onto a device – there is no app store and students do not have admin rights to install any other software
  • In-app purchasing is disabled across all apps
  • Devices can be controlled while in the classroom
  • Access to social media is prohibited.

Restrictions are applied for the full duration of your son’s time with the College.

Q. What content filtering is in place on the device?

Yes. The device will block all gaming, social media, gambling, adult and other content not deemed suitable or appropriate for educational use.

For 1st years, Microsoft devices come included with Senso cloud. This filters all internet browsing and activity, even when the device is not on the College WiFi, such as at home or on a 4G/5G hotspot.

For 2nd years and up, iPad devices come included with JamF Safe Internet. This, likewise, filters all internet browsing and activity, even when the device is not on the College WiFi, such as at home.

The College WiFi is filtered against inappropriate use and activity when your son is accessing a computer other than his own device within the College.

You may wish to explore similarly available options for your own home internet and your son’s mobile phone – most ISP’s and mobile service providers have content filtering options available. You should also explore parental control facilities on your son’s mobile itself – features such as ScreenTime (Apple) and Family Link (Android) allow you to apply very fine restrictions on your son’s device including restricting apps, access to sites, cumulative screen time per day, and hours of access.

For Apple see: https://support.apple.com/en-ie/105121

For Android see: https://safety.google/intl/en_ie/families/parental-supervision/

For Microsoft see: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/microsoft-365/family-safety

Q. Are restrictions and content filtering applied at all times or only at school?

Restrictions and content filtering are applied at all times regardless of where the device is or what internet connection it is connected to.

Q. Is the device secure?

Yes. Senso includes a built in firewall which scans all activity on the device regardless of where the device is or what internet connection it is connected to.

Q. Can restrictions be lifted so that my son can use his device for watching Netflix during Summer holidays, trips, etc.?

No. The device is a school device. Just as with books and uniforms it should be used only as such. Opening up the device restrictions over the Summer means it is more likely that the device will become damaged or suffer additional wear and tear.

Q. I am concerned that excessive use of digital devices is damaging to eyesight, posture, repetitive strain injuries, etc.?

We are very concerned about the overuse of screens and are following closely the research in this area. As a general rule, all lessons begin with the device turned off, face down on the desk, or sometimes left in the bag. It will be used alongside traditional learning methods including discussion, modelling, projectors/overheads, hand-outs, books, copies, hand-written notes and collaborative group work. As a general rule the device will not be used for more than half of any given class – some classes may not use the device at all.

Question not answered above?

Please send it to helpdesk@castleknockcollege.ie.