Overview
Devonport High School for Boys is a high-performing grammar school for students aged 11–18, with a strong academic track record and a commitment to ensuring that “Everyone Succeeds.”
With a reputation for excellence in both examination results and university placements, the school set out to modernise its teaching approach through a scalable and inclusive digital strategy. This led to the implementation of a large-scale 1:1 device programme, designed to enhance teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
The Challenge
Several years ago, Devonport High School for Boys reached a critical decision point: how to successfully transition to a 1:1 learning environment that could support personalised, flexible, and future-ready education.
The school needed to:
- Identify a device ecosystem that was both cost-effective and scalable
- Ensure seamless integration with a digital learning platform
- Provide equitable access for all students
- Establish a sustainable operational model, including payments, warranty, and support
- Build a strong infrastructure capable of supporting long-term digital growth
Additionally, the school recognised that success would depend not only on technology—but on teacher adoption and effective pedagogical integration.
The Solution
After extensive trials of leading device platforms, Devonport selected Chromebooks combined with Google Workspace for Education as the foundation of their digital strategy.
To deliver the 1:1 programme effectively, the school partnered with Freedom Tech, choosing them for their ability to provide a fully managed, end-to-end solution.
Freedom Tech delivered:
- A flexible parent payment model (1, 2, and 3-year options)
- Full warranty and accidental damage protection
- A streamlined system for device repair and replacement
- Dedicated support for parent communication and programme rollout
- A service-led approach aligned with the school’s long-term vision
This allowed the school to focus on education, while Freedom Tech managed the operational complexity.
Implementation
The rollout began with a phased introduction, initially targeting Year 7 students. However, strong demand from across the school accelerated adoption significantly.
- Over 300 devices were deployed across Years 7–11 in the initial phase
- Within three years, the school achieved 90% 1:1 device coverage—surpassing its original five-year plan
To support this growth, the school invested in a full fibre network upgrade, including new switches and access points, ensuring a robust and future-proof infrastructure.
Freedom Tech also played a key role in parent engagement, organising hands-on consultation sessions and providing clear communication materials to ensure high programme uptake.
Teaching and Learning Benefits
The introduction of 1:1 devices transformed both teaching practices and student engagement across the school.
Key benefits included:
- Seamless access to learning resources before, during, and after lessons
- Increased opportunities for personalised and independent learning
- Enhanced collaboration between students and teachers
- Faster lesson transitions thanks to instant device readiness
- Reduced reliance on paper-based processes
Chromebooks proved particularly effective in the classroom, offering:
- Fast startup times (seconds, not minutes)
- All-day battery life
- A productivity-focused alternative to tablets
Teachers also leveraged technology in increasingly creative ways, enabling more dynamic and engaging learning experiences.
An Evidence-Based Approach
Devonport High School for Boys embedded digital learning through a structured and research-informed approach:
- Early adoption of Google Workspace for Education across all teaching staff
- Replacement of classroom PCs with Chromebooks to ensure consistency
- Targeted CPD (Continuing Professional Development) focused on real teaching needs
- Collaborative innovation through teacher “trios”, encouraging experimentation and shared learning
This approach ensured that technology enhanced pedagogy rather than distracting from it.
Resilience and Remote Learning Success
The strength of Devonport’s digital strategy became especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to widespread device adoption and a fully integrated digital platform, the school was able to transition seamlessly to remote learning:
- Live lessons delivered immediately via Google Meet
- Lesson recordings available for ongoing access
- Assignments managed through Google Classroom
Device accessibility also improved significantly:
- 85 devices loaned during the first lockdown
- Only 8 required during the second lockdown
With 98.9% lesson attendance during January 2021, the school demonstrated exceptional continuity of learning under challenging circumstances.
Why Freedom Tech?
Freedom Tech played a critical role in the success of Devonport’s 1:1 programme, acting as a true partner rather than a supplier.
Our value includes:
- A fully managed service model that reduced administrative burden
- Responsive and proactive ongoing support
- Strong alignment with the school’s educational goals and culture
- A focus on long-term partnership, not just device provision
As a result, the programme operated smoothly at scale, with minimal disruption to teaching and learning.
“We ended up choosing Freedom Tech as our programme provider, which ultimately came down to the SLA.
We wanted a simple programme where parents make payments each month and in return they get a Chromebook. If anything were to go wrong with the device then it is repaired or replaced.
We needed our programme partner to take care of the warranty and the accidental damage protection.”
– Nick Berryman, Assistant Headteacher at Devonport High School for Boys
Conclusion
Devonport High School for Boys successfully transformed its approach to education through a well-planned and expertly delivered 1:1 device programme.
By combining the right technology (Chromebooks and Google Workspace), strong infrastructure, and a trusted partner in Freedom Tech, the school achieved rapid adoption, improved learning outcomes, and long-term resilience.
Today, digital learning is fully embedded within the school’s culture—supporting both academic excellence and future-ready education.
