A community group in Harrogate is at the forefront of a drive to donate laptops and tablets to pupils studying from home.
Schools were preparing to reopen after the Christmas break for face-to-face learning until the third national lockdown caused a last minute U-turn this week.
This has left some students, especially from poorer backgrounds, in need of computers for home schooling.
There was a big drive during the first lockdown to hand out laptops and tablets and some schools did not receive what they requested from government.
Consequently some pupils are now without the means to access their education.
Read more:
- Rapidly growing covid infection rate in Harrogate district
- Online support group steps up for shielders in Harrogate district
Stuart Carlton, the corporate director of children and young people’s services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“All the laptops we had in March have been distributed, that was the first part of the scheme.
“There was then a second part where the government provided laptops directly to schools.
“We know there were some problems with that scheme because of the volume of requests. Not all laptops that schools wanted were given to them.”
Julie Mills, head of the Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate Facebook group, has partnered with Phase 4 Computers in Harrogate to supply devices.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“People have been really good, they have been fabulous. I put up a request just yesterday and we have had plenty of donations already.
“Phase 4 Computers has offered to clean the laptops and tablets up and get them ready for schools. We are all pulling together once again.”
Anyone wishing to donate can either drop it off at Phase 4 Computers on weekdays between 10am and 4pm or get in touch with the Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate group.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said in the House of Commons today the government would deliver 750,000 laptops to pupils by the end of next week.
That pledge is part of a wider commitment to deliver one million devices to students in need.
