A primary school in Weston-super-Mare is celebrating after receiving a new set of laptops which will help children learn from home.
We contacted Ashcombe Primary School with the offer of 20 laptops after stepping in to help bridge the educational gap created by lockdown.
The laptops were delivered by our colleagues to ensure children struggling to get access to online learning would be able to access a host of learning resources provided by the school.
Headteacher John Clark said: “I would like to thank LiveWest for this incredibly kind donation from you of some laptops for our families and I'm blown away by such wonderful generosity.
“One of the great frustrations for us here at school has been in seeing how our most vulnerable children, those with the least resources to bring to bear, are so unfairly disadvantaged by the current situation.
“Many of their parents have to work in lower paid roles that can't be furloughed, leaving them at increased risk of Covid-19. Many have to share just one device or a phone at home, many can't spend the time they'd want on home learning because of limited access.
“So many of these children were already some way behind their better off peers even before this crisis descended upon them.
“These laptops now mean that teachers will be able to work with these children remotely, giving them important coaching and face-to-face teaching online so that when they finally return, the gaps between them and their better-off peers won't be as big.
“It's a real gift that will have a lasting effect upon them, giving them a more level playing field in life as we eventually begin our recovery from this horrible period in our lives.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Tim Wotton, our Grants Manager, said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege to be able support Ashcombe Primary School in this way.
“Giving back to our communities is a vital part of the work we do and we are absolutely delighted to be able to provide equipment which will make a positive difference to the children.
“Digital inclusion in a key priority for LiveWest and we want to support our communities with home schooling during lockdown.”