Overview
Katherine Warington School (KWS) is a forward-thinking secondary school established in 2019 as part of the Harpenden Secondary Schools Trust, in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Rothamsted Research.
With a mission to enable every student to make outstanding progress, regardless of their starting point, KWS combines strong academic foundations with an innovative, technology-driven approach to education.
From the outset, the school set out to become a beacon of best practice in digital learning, embedding a 1:1 device programme at the core of its educational model.
The Challenge
As a brand-new school, KWS had a unique opportunity—but also a significant challenge: to design and implement a scalable, future-proof digital learning environment from scratch.
The school needed to:
- Build a robust IT infrastructure capable of supporting long-term growth
- Select a device and platform that aligned with teaching and learning objectives
- Ensure affordability and accessibility for all families
- Deliver a seamless 1:1 device programme from day one
- Engage parents effectively to drive adoption and trust
Crucially, the goal was to design technology around learning, not the other way around.
The Solution
KWS partnered with Freedom Tech to deliver a fully managed 1:1 device programme through the Tech 4 Learners initiative.
After evaluating multiple options, the school selected:
- Chromebooks as the preferred student device
- Google Workspace for Education as the core digital learning platform
Freedom Tech provided:
- Flexible parent payment plans (1, 2, and 3 years)
- A comprehensive warranty and support package, including next-day device replacement
- Full management of payments, logistics, and communication
- Strategic support to ensure a high adoption rate from launch
This combination ensured a solution that was both educationally effective and financially accessible.
Implementation
KWS invested heavily in its digital foundation before launching the programme, including:
- High-performance WiFi across the entire school
- Advanced network switching and infrastructure
- A scalable architecture designed to support long-term device growth
The 1:1 programme was introduced with the school’s first cohort of 180 students, supported by a carefully planned rollout strategy:
- Early and clear communication with parents ahead of launch
- A dedicated parent information evening, including presentations from both the school and Freedom Tech
- Flexible pricing options starting from £10.25 per month
- A structured device handover event, including user agreements and guidance
The result was an exceptionally smooth launch with near 100% adoption across the cohort.
To ensure full inclusivity, the school also provided subsidies and long-term loan devices for families requiring additional support.
Teaching and Learning Benefits
The impact of the 1:1 device programme was immediate and far-reaching across the school.
Key benefits included:
- Increased student engagement and participation in lessons
- Development of independent learning and revision skills from an early stage
- Easy access to digital resources, knowledge organisers, and coursework
- Enhanced collaboration between students and teachers
- Strong support for SEND students, improving accessibility and inclusion
Examples of classroom impact include:
- Use of digital tools like Quizlet for interactive revision
- Dedicated subject platforms (e.g. Maths Google Sites) for independent study
- Consistent access to lesson materials across all subjects
Chromebooks also enabled seamless remote learning, ensuring continuity during school closures and beyond.
An Evidence-Based Approach
KWS took a structured and strategic approach to embedding digital learning across the school:
- Early integration of Google Workspace for Education across all teaching and learning activities
- Ongoing staff training and development, supported by external partners such as Tablet Academy
- A long-term goal for all teachers to achieve Google Certification
- Parent education sessions to support learning at home
This ensured that technology was used effectively to enhance pedagogy and student outcomes, rather than simply digitising existing processes.
Why Freedom Tech?
Freedom Tech played a central role in enabling KWS to successfully launch and scale its 1:1 device programme from day one.
Key benefits included:
- A fully managed, end-to-end service model
- Minimal administrative burden for school staff
- Responsive and efficient support and device replacement
- A strong focus on affordability and accessibility for families
- Ongoing partnership and guidance as the school continues to grow
Their ability to handle the operational complexity allowed KWS to remain focused on delivering high-quality education.
Conclusion
Katherine Warington School has successfully embedded a digital-first approach to education, using a 1:1 device programme to support outstanding student progress from its very first year.
By combining robust infrastructure, the right technology platform, and a trusted partner in Freedom Tech, the school achieved exceptional adoption, strong engagement, and measurable impact in the classroom.
As the school continues to grow, its digital strategy provides a scalable foundation for future success—ensuring every student has the tools they need to thrive.
