Hundreds of laptops and 4G routers issued to families in Hartlepool to help home learning

Some of the equipment supplied by the DfE.

Hartlepool Borough Council and schools have worked closely together to distribute 671 laptops and tablets and 105 4G internet routers provided by the Department for Education (DfE).

The devices aim to support young people who are learning at home and give them access to the internet, with schools being closed to most pupils due to Covid-19.

A young person is eligible for assistance through the initiative if they don’t already have a device from which they can do their school/college work and they either have a social worker, are a care leaver or are a Year 10 pupil due to take their GCSEs next year.

Education bosses praised the impact and support the scheme offers to pupils in need.

Mark Tilling, headteacher at High Tunstall College of Science, said: “The laptops and wifi provided by the DfE have proved invaluable by giving students access to online learning.

“Such access is essential if students, including our Year 10s who sit their GCSEs next summer, are to maintain their educational development during the pandemic.”

Project manager Kelly Prescott from Hartlepool Borough Council praised schools for their work since the Covid-19 outbreak.

She said: “From the day we received the devices, they were distributed to schools within a week

“This is testament to how responsive the schools have been and how committed they are to supporting their most vulnerable pupils.

“I would like to thank them for supporting this initiative and ensuring that the equipment reached those most in need so quickly.”

She also noted the project helps tackle the ‘digital divide’ and address issues children face who don’t have regular access to such facilities, compared to those who do.

She added: “Coronavirus has highlighted a digital divide, with some children who are without access to computer devices and the internet missing out not only on educational opportunities but also on social contact with others.

“School life is going to be very different for quite some time due to the pandemic, so pupils will be able to keep their devices for as long as they are needed.”

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