Published: Wednesday 20 January 2021
Digital equipment is being made available for children in Kensington and Chelsea who need help to learn at home in lockdown thanks to £260,000 in new Council funding. Schools can purchase laptops, devices to get young people online, software that will ensure pupils are equipped to continue honing their skills while learning at home and anything in between.
Both primary and secondary schools will benefit, with headteachers being invited to order devices directly for their schools to ensure that children can benefit as soon as possible.
Cllr Josh Rendall, Lead Member for Family and Children’s Services, said:
“Children, parents and teachers have shown incredible resilience during the pandemic, but I know it hasn’t been easy. With the rollout of the DfE programme to reinforce IT support, I'm pleased Kensington and Chelsea has supplied many more additional laptops to help pupils with their online education. I don’t want any child falling behind in their studies because they don’t have access to technology and this funding will help to make sure children have the things they need to learn at home.”
Mr Andrew O’Neil, Head Teacher at All Saints Catholic College, a school located in North Kensington, said:
“We are delighted to have received this additional funding from the local authority for laptops. We have now purchased 58 laptops and are preparing to distribute them to families - this will make a huge difference in what has been a very difficult time."
This funding adds to an extensive package of support to schools from the Council, aimed both at families and teachers themselves. Throughout last year, teachers were offered free parking to allow safe travel in and out of the borough for school staff should they wish to avoid public transport.
Over Christmas, the Council supported 3,787 children with free school meal vouchers and contributed to the Christmas in a Box project, ensuring families had food and gifts to enjoy over the Christmas period.