Building Future-Ready Learning: How 1:1 Chromebooks Are Transforming Year 6 Across REMAT

At Rainbow Education Multi Academy Trust (REMAT), we are committed to raising educational standards and ensuring equity of opportunity for every child across our eight Merseyside primary schools.

Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, the Trust embarked on an ambitious digital transformation pilot—partnering with our IT and digital training provider, Computeam, alongside Google for Education and Acer, to introduce a 1:1 Chromebook model for all Year 6 pupils and unify our teaching platforms under Google Workspace for Education.

A newly published case study by Computeam highlights the remarkable impact this initiative has had on pupil engagement, classroom accessibility, and teacher workload.

The Challenge: Moving Beyond Fragmented Technology

Prior to the rollout, digital maturity varied across our schools. Year 6 pupils relied largely on shared tablets without physical keyboards, limiting their ability to research independently, write at length, and collaborate online. Meanwhile, staff faced "software fatigue," juggling an average of over seven different educational apps and multiple login systems, while spending hours each week on manual marking.

We needed a unified, sustainable solution that aligned with our School Improvement Plan and DfE Digital Standards—putting pedagogy first rather than adopting technology for its own sake.

Key Highlights from the Case Study

Bullet A Unified Classroom Hub: Every Year 6 pupil across the Trust now has access to their own ACER Chromebook with Google Single Sign-On. Daily Chromebook usage rose from 0% to 100%, with Google Classroom established as our central hub for lessons, assignments, and real-time assessment.

Bullet Championing Inclusion for SEND & EAL Learners: Following dedicated training from Computeam, 100% of surveyed staff are now actively embedding ChromeOS accessibility features—such as Select-to-Speak, Dictation, and Reading Mode—into everyday lessons. Staff confidence in supporting SEND and EAL learners jumped from an average of 5/10 to 8.5/10.

Bullet Reducing Teacher Workload & "Software Fatigue": By consolidating tools into Google Workspace and phasing out redundant apps, we reduced the average number of applications per teacher from 7.1 to 4. Digital marking has become the norm across Year 6, replacing hours of handwritten marking with immediate, interactive feedback.

Bullet Empowered, Confident Staff: Through hands-on workshops, team-teaching, and peer-led best practice videos shared via Computeam’s Learning Locker, staff confidence in using Chromebooks grew by 90%, and confidence with Google Classroom surged by over 120%. Trust-wide collaboration has also flourished, with 95% of teams now sharing planning via Google Shared Drives.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the pilot's success, REMAT Digital Director Phil Moss noted:

"The Chromebooks allow children to complete their work while enabling staff to assess every child in real time... This allows teachers to direct their time more effectively and efficiently, supporting the children who need it most while also challenging those who are ready for further development. Ultimately, this will help every child to achieve their best, both academically and personally, while developing the digital skills and literacy they will need for secondary school and beyond."

With strong foundations now in place in Year 6, REMAT plans to continue rolling out this pedagogy-led digital development across additional year groups.

Read the full case study: Building Future-Ready Learning with Chromebooks and Google Workspace at Rainbow Education MAT