ITVET’s Laptops for Schools’ campaign joins forces with the BBC

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the country have had to shift to online learning rapidly. The long-term impact on our younger generation is not yet known, but what we can already see is the emergence of a new issue for disadvantaged children, digital exclusion.

Some children do not have the access to IT equipment to continue learning remotely. The government are struggling to meet the demand, which means these children are being left behind. So, in November 2020, we launched our Laptops for Schools Campaign issuing laptops to schools in the Bishop Stortford area, to get children learning.  

We have now joined forces with the BBC’s Make a Difference campaign to support schools and help children in need across Hertfordshire, Essex, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We have had an unprecedented response from individuals and businesses, with over 700 donations pledged so far.

Over 1.85 million students in the UK qualified for the Pupil Premium in 2020. However, only 300,000 laptops have been pledged by the UK government. This means that there will be a shortfall of over 1.5 million. Together we can bridge this gap. 

Work in progress by ITVET Team

Our team are working around the clock, free of charge, collecting and refurbishing these laptops and getting them out to schools as quickly as possible.

Helen Smith, Headteacher of Manor Fields Primary School, who received laptops from ITVET before the 3^rd lockdown, said:

“On behalf of the staff and pupils at Manor Fields Primary School, I wanted to express my sincere thanks to ITVET for the laptop donations they have organised for us and other local schools. To date, we have only been allocated 1 laptop from the DFE to support pupils at the school without access to appropriate devices – and the need is much greater than that. The donations so far have enabled us to support four more families in need – making a very difficult time just that little bit easier. We are extremely grateful – not just to ITVET for their expertise and time refurbishing the devices for us – but also to the individuals and companies whose donations made the whole scheme possible.”

Janet Conboy handing laptops over to Manor Fields

By refurbishing these laptops, we can give them a new lease of life and find them a home with kids who need them.  

To increase the laptops’ lifespan and enable us to get the laptops to schools faster, we have launched a GoFundMe campaign to fit new Solid State Drives (SSD). This enables us to use laptops which might otherwise be unsuitable, and satisfy more demand, whilst increasing performance.

To view the full coverage on Digital Exclusion from the BBC, please click here.

Get in touch today and help us to make a difference! 

If you have any unwanted device which can run Windows 10 and in usable conditions and would like to donate, please fill out the donation form here: www.itvet.co.uk/laptopsforschools