Laptops and digital devices for disadvantaged pupils who currently can’t join classmates learning from home are to be provided by Wiltshire Council which is allocating £1.1 million of government COVID-19 funding to buy them.
With the IT, children can access their school lessons from home so don’t have to attend school.
Pupils who do not have a laptop can attend school alongside children of key workers and vulnerable students, but now the IT will help manage school spaces and continue to help prevent COVID-19 transmission, according to the council.
A statement said: ”During the summer term, Wiltshire Council distributed 1,232 devices provided by the DfE in 138 schools designated specifically for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young students. Currently, secondary schools are accessing further allocated devices directly via the DfE, and the council is reviewing opportunities to ensure children in need have access to the tools for remote learning, including tablets, laptops and wifi and data.”
The DfE has also announced all primary schools can order laptops and tablets by January 15, and it will contact all primary schools by that date to invite them to order devices.
Wiltshire Council will work with schools now the government has said that schools, trusts and local authorities can request mobile data increases for disadvantaged children and young people who do not have fixed broadband, if they cannot afford additional data for their devices and are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education.
Schools are also working with families directly to ensure free school meals continue.