Adobe Flash Player will not download or enable on my computer, how do I fix this?

I was recently issued a Lenovo ThinkPad from my school, and it's Windows 8 which is totally new to me. Besides back up the laptop one if the first things I did was download software I knew I needed. However, IE and Chrome will not let me download Adobe Flash Player because it says it's already integrated with windows 8. BUT IT'S NOT WORKING! In fact what my computer says is it has Shockwave Flash Player but it will not enable in the "manage add ons" section (Neither the enable/disable buttons are clickable) and activeX filtering is off. I need help! Sounds like your school's IT department has disabled some features. If you need flash player to fully use the laptop they have loaned you, then you need to take the laptop back to school and tell them you can't use it and ask for their help. Whenever a system administrator has locked down features on a laptop, there's nothing a non-admin person (like what you are here) can do. The system admin has to do it for you. I was afraid about that being the cause of the problem… I'll try giving them a call until I can get to campus next month.

I was afraid about that being the cause of the problem… I'll try giving them a call until I can get to campus next month.