IT’S a sad sign of the times that schools need to be very security-conscious.

As the recent spate of break-ins at Bolton schools reveal, thieves are fully aware of the thousands of pounds of often hi-tech equipment held for pupils’ use, and are prepared to target them.

Computers and iPads are relatively easily re-sold these days so schools need to ensure they can be disabled and tracked. The rest of us need to realise that the true cost of cheap computers we might be offered on ebay or elsewhere is actually being paid by our own children, in the classroom.