You could use the Self Service web clip on these iPads. Create a config profile with a web clip and the following URL: https://yourjss.com:8443/mdss/?udid=$UDID. Also, aren't first gen iPads maxed out at iOS 5?
Thank you for your response and sorry for the late reply, yep looks like you are correct that the 1st gen iPads only update to iOS5. Discussed with boss today, thankfully he has agreed we will only use the 1st gen iPads for class loans and not use with self service. So looks like it has saved us a job :)
Thanks again
David