How to Secure Free or Cheap Laptops for Your Children’s Education
How to ask a school, council or charity for a suitable learning device and check that a low-cost laptop is safe and usable.
Last reviewed: 6 July 2026 · UK guidance
In brief
A child may need a device for homework, online platforms, video lessons, accessibility software or examinations. Schools and councils may lend equipment or know local schemes, while charities and refurbished-device programmes use their own criteria. There is no single permanent national free-laptop offer for every low-income family.
Ask the school what tasks and software the device must support before sourcing hardware. A cheap laptop may be unsuitable if it cannot receive security updates, run the school platform or support the child’s access needs.
Start with the school’s responsibility and offer
Tell the school that the child cannot reliably access required digital learning. Ask about loan devices, homework clubs, on-site access, hardship funds, internet support and who handles accessibility or SEND technology.
Write a minimum specification
Confirm operating system, browser, webcam, keyboard, screen size, storage and required applications. Include speech-to-text, screen reader, touch or other access needs. Ask whether school software works on Chromebooks, tablets or older Windows devices.
Use trusted device schemes
Check council, library, digital-inclusion and established charity routes. Confirm whether the device is loaned or owned, whether a deposit is required and how family data will be protected. Avoid social-media offers requesting identity documents or upfront fees.
Assess a refurbished laptop
Check the operating system’s support period, battery, charger, warranty, webcam, Wi-Fi and secure data wipe. Set up separate child and administrator accounts, updates and recovery before schoolwork is stored.
Plan connection and repairs
A laptop without data or broadband may not solve the problem. Check social tariffs, data-bank support and offline options. Ask who repairs a loan device and what happens during breakdowns or exams.
Ask the school for digital access
Send to the school’s pastoral, SEND or digital-learning contact.
[Child] is expected to use [platform/tasks] but does not have reliable access to a suitable device or connection at home. They need [accessibility or software requirements]. Please explain school loan equipment, on-site access, local device or data schemes, repair arrangements and any evidence required.
A practical checklist
- Ask the school before buying hardware.
- Write the real software and access specification.
- Verify ownership, warranty and security updates.
- Solve connection and repair gaps as well as the device.
Check the current information
These are the most relevant official or specialist places to confirm live rules, availability and application details.
How donated devices are distributed through community organisations.
Open official informationSearch for nearby organisations offering digital help.
Open official informationCurrent information about device support for eligible families.
Open official informationPractical security steps for a new or refurbished device.
Open official informationChoose one next action
You do not need to finish everything today. Find a relevant organisation through National Help, or save the action you want to return to in your Support Plan.
HiddenHelp explains options and helps you organise a next step. It does not decide eligibility, make awards, or replace regulated legal, medical or financial advice.