Parents in Otley say they are being “pressured” into buying buying expensive iPads by the secondary school.

Prince Henry’s Grammar is proposing a scheme that would see it purchasing iPads for all year seven to nine students – based on their parents making a £360 contribution spread over three years.

The school believes the initiative would give pupils an important educational boost while honing their ICT skill levels.

Prince Henry’s has held three consultation meetings and insists it will not proceed unless there is “overwhelming” support.

But some parents have contacted this newspaper to claim the proposal has placed them in an “impossible” position – and is trying to pressure them into making a quick decision.

One, who asked not to be named, said: “We feel we are being bullied and coerced into agreeing to this.

“We are being offered the choice of either going along with it or allowing our children to be ‘left out’.

“In reality these iPads must be purchased through an installment scheme which is not any cheaper than buying one ourselves. At the consultation evenings no questions were allowed, though we could speak to teachers on a one-to-one basis.

“We have been asked to either agree or sign a form stating we are aware our child will be left out. Neither I nor my wife has spoken to a single parent who thinks this is a good idea.

“We are, however, all concerned that we don’t want our children to be singled out either as the child who didn’t get an iPad or the one whose trouble-making parents stopped everyone else from getting one.”

Another added: “The deadline for parents to respond is Monday, December 2 – a very short deadline for a commitment of £10 per month for 36 months.

“Why does this need to happen with a three-day turn-around? Classic pressure sales, allowing minimal time for discussion, research or co-ordinated resistance – parents will end up considering this in isolation, worried they may be harming their children by ‘opting out’.”

Prince Henry’s head teacher Janet Sheriff, however, said the fears were simply based on misconceptions and that there had been plenty of consultation.

She said: “We believe the iPad one to one scheme will help give our students the advantage, both in terms of enhancing their learning and progress as well as developing essential skills for when they leave.

“We are not alone in this: an increasing number of schools in our area and nationally are introducing similar schemes.

“However, we have been very clear with parents that the scheme will not be introduced unless we receive overwhelming support – we are aiming for a 90 per cent-plus sign-up.

“If we don’t get enough support it will quite simply not go ahead.

“We are not asking parents to ‘buy’ iPads but seeing if they wish to donate an affordable amount which would enable the school to purchase enough iPads for each student in key stage three.

“The school would also provide £30 of apps, a sturdy case and insurance for each one.

“The recommended donation is £10 per month over three years. We have clearly stated, however, that if a parent supports the project but can’t afford the full donation we will negotiate a suitable arrangement.”

Under the proposal parents would be able to buy the iPad at the end of the three years by making a final payment of about £40.