Leeds primary school supplies 450 Google Chromebooks to pupils in case of future COVID lockdowns

When lockdown was imposed in March and schools closed, it became apparent to the headteacher at Little London Community Primary School that for many children home-schooling was going to be virtually impossible.

Little London has 630 children on the register and the proportion of disadvantaged pupils is much higher than the national average. They have extremely limited access to technology and the internet outside of school as a quarter of families have either no internet access, or limited access through a mobile phone.

And while schools have returned this week, the uncertainty surrounding rising COVID cases and changing guidelines has prompted the school to come up with a solution that will help give children access to learning at home and school.

Working with Pudsey-based Next Generation IT, along with Google Education, there will be a Google Chromebook rollout for 450 pupils this month who are in year 2 and above. Secure filtered Internet access will be provided to the 150 families currently without. Each family will receive a 4G router with pre-loaded data which will only work with the managed Chromebook supplied.

Jill Wood, head teacher at Little London School, said: “We knew we had to deliver a bold solution to ensure that all pupils have access to learning. The return of pupils in September was never going to be straightforward however we have prepared for every eventuality by providing technology that will help all pupils reach their potential.

“Our teachers have done an amazing job of producing top quality lessons that can be delivered online, but children need to be able to access them. We needed to make sure children had their own device that was safe and used purely for education and Next Generation IT has come up with the perfect solution. The Governors have been extremely supportive of the project and are devoted to ensuring learning for the future. The Chromebooks can be used at home and at school and we see them as an essential tool for learning.”

Steven Lightfoot, director of Next Generation IT, said: “Jill Wood is a true visionary and it has been amazing to work with her on this project. Getting the right support for the children drives Jill every day and we were delighted to partner with Google Education to provide a solution that is truly life-changing for the children.

“We will be supporting the school and families during the rollout and look forward to continuing to work with them closely. It’s great to know that whatever happens with schools as they return to their ‘new normal’, the children of Little London Primary School will be equipped to learn whenever and wherever they need to.”

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Laura Collins