Tuesday 9 September 2025
In his recent update in King’s Connect (27 August), the Headmaster wrote about the delicate balance between providing a safe digital environment and fostering student independence. This is a journey we are all on together, as parents and educators. At King’s College we strive to empower our students to be responsible and self-managing digital citizens.
Following up on that conversation, we wanted to provide more detail on two key changes we are making to our iPad programme to help support this goal. Our school's mobile device management (MDM) services allow us to ensure the iPads are used as powerful educational tools, and these updates will help our students to focus and learn. These changes will be implemented before the end of this term.
Blocking the App Store
As the Headmaster mentioned, we are removing access to the App Store on all student iPads. This measure is designed to reduce distractions and help students keep their device focused on its primary purpose: learning.
Approved, curriculum-aligned apps are still available to students through the Self Service app. This is like a bespoke App Store, where you can find all the educational tools your child needs. We are happy to add new apps to the Self Service store on request.
Disabling the Messaging Feature
We will also be disabling the messaging feature on all student iPads. This change is based on a collective effort to reduce distractions in the classroom and ensure our students remain focused and engaged in their studies. We understand that most students have a separate device for personal communication with family and friends, which can continue to be used outside of school hours.
A Tool for Partnership: Jamf Parent
We recognise that while our controls help guide students during school hours, many of you would like to have a degree of control over what your child does on their device at home. Since our school management of the device prevents parents from setting their own restrictions, we recommend using the Jamf Parent app.
Jamf Parent is a tool that allows you to manage your child’s school-issued device from your own phone. It's an excellent way to partner with us in reinforcing healthy digital habits.
With Jamf Parent you are able to:
- Allow and restrict apps on your child's iPad
- Set a timer for app restrictions at specific times of day, perfect for ensuring homework time is distraction-free or managing screen time after school.
- Set healthy boundaries for app usage based on your schedule or rules at home.
We encourage you to use Jamf Parent to take an active role in guiding your child's use of their school-issued device at home.
Resources for setting up Jamf Parent:
- Download Jamf Parent to your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch from the App Store or via Google Play (Android).
- Watch the set-up video on YouTube
- Read the online guide - Getting started with Jamf Parent.