Laptops for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to aid home learning

East Sussex County Council was the first authority in the country to place an order under a Department for Education scheme aimed at ensuring pupils can continue learning at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

The county is now one of the first areas to receive the new equipment, with the council taking delivery of 1,187 laptops and 170 4G dongles.

They are now being delivered to children and young people who receive social care from the council, while a further order has been made for laptops for disadvantaged Year 10 pupils.

Bob Standley, lead member for education and inclusion, said: “It’s vital that all our young people are able to maintain their education during the lockdown.

“The scheme means vulnerable and disadvantaged children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to do so can get online and continue learning at home until they’re able to return to school.

“It’s going to make a real difference to their lives and will give a boost to their education in the extraordinary times we’re living in.

“I’ve been really impressed by how our children’s services and IT teams worked together to make this happen.”

Under the DfE scheme, the council has also placed an order for 129 laptops for disadvantaged year 10 pupils in its maintained schools.

Meanwhile, working with national body Uni Connect and Hastings Opportunity Area – which aims to boost social mobility through education – the county council has been able to secure funding for an additional 200 laptops for disadvantaged Year 10 pupils at maintained schools and academies across the county.

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