We would like to start this off by saying we love CLC, however we would just like a change.

Cheltenham Ladies College has recently introduced a new rule prohibiting GCSE students from using their personal devices for revision and work. This change is set to take effect in April, leaving students like myself with little time to adjust. Many of us rely heavily on our personal devices, which contain invaluable notes and essential revision materials. Unfortunately, the school-provided Surface Pro 9s have proven to be of inadequate quality, making the transition even more challenging. Many students agree that our compulsory Surface Pro 9s are incredibly difficult to work on - nobody enjoys using them outside of when they have to. Moreover, when many pupils arrived at the school in year 7, we were told to buy our own devices, leading to our parents not only spending large amounts of money on separate devices, but also all the  accessories that came with them. The school then proceeded to tell us we could not use these anymore - instead our parents had to pay for new devices provided by the school. Now they have banned use of personal devices for work completely.

Prior to this decision, we were not given sufficient notice. Had this announcement been made in September, it would have afforded us the opportunity to transfer notes or explore paper alternatives. Now, with the rule's implementation just days away, we face significant disruption to our study routines at a critical point in our education. Our GCSEs are to be completed very soon, with this new rule forbidding us from using our own devices which we have used for the entire school year - including during mocks - to revise with. Even during our study leave. Us students understand the school's obligation to follow the government school guidelines, however we cannot seem to find this part of the rules in the public document on gov.uk. We are essentially being told that we are not permitted to use the devices we have used for years to revise with which contain many hand-written notes that simply cannot be put onto paper or on our surface pros. Many of us have used our personal devices for the entire two year course, however this rule has taken effect in the last week of the course, making the change very difficult for all of us. 

Personal devices have become an integral part of modern education, offering flexibility, accessibility, and personalized learning experiences. This is especially true for students who have already invested considerable time and effort in curating their digital resources. Banning their use not only disrupts our established methods of study but also undermines our ability to perform to the best of our abilities in upcoming exams.

The current policy does not take into account the diverse needs and learning styles of each student. Instead, it imposes a one-size-fits-all solution that fails to recognize the importance of technology in supporting individualized learning. Allowing the continued use of personal devices would not only facilitate a seamless learning experience but also empower students to take control of their education.

We urge Cheltenham Ladies College to reconsider this decision and permit students to use their personal devices for revision and academic work. By doing so, the college would demonstrate a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment where students can thrive using the tools that best suit their individual needs.

Please sign this petition to support the ability of GCSE students at Cheltenham Ladies College to use their personal devices for their studies, ensuring a fair and effective learning experience for all.