Thanks for the help Sarah! That’s what I wanted to hear! Actually, I realised after posting that my current computer (14 inch HP laptop, 1280×800) is running Premiere Pro CS4 which also asks for a minimum screen size of 1280×900. Thanks for confirming what I suspected. https://kb2.adobe.com/cps/532/cpsid_53262.html#main_Minimum system requirements
By the way, what type of video are your students editing? HD? From what camera?