Laptops and internet access to benefit disadvantaged children in Oxfordshire

Disadvantaged children, families and young adults in Oxfordshire are to benefit from a new scheme, giving them access to laptops and the internet.

The Department for Education initiative means young people, families, and care leavers with a social worker, can access social care and other services to support their safety and wellbeing.

The scheme will also help them – along with disadvantaged Year 10 pupils – to access remote education services.

Oxfordshire secondary schools have ordered and are taking delivery of laptops and routers for disadvantaged Year 10 students.

These students are currently returning to school to receive support and training, so that they can make the most of the remote (online) educational teaching and resources.

Across Oxfordshire, social care teams are working with families and schools to ensure that learners in all year groups who have a social worker, or are a care leaver, receive the devices to support their learning needs.

Oxfordshire County Council is in the process of delivering 1,400 laptops and 190 routers to schools for the benefit of vulnerable children and those who are disadvantaged.

County Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services, said:

“I am delighted that so many young people and their families will benefit from this central government initiative.

“Social workers, staff in the virtual school, and teachers are all working with families to ensure that these devices are with families as soon as possible.

“I know that schools across Oxfordshire have been delivering high quality, innovative and inspiring online learning, as well as face to face teaching, since mid-March.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every teacher, learning support assistant, teaching assistant, caretaker, schools meals assistant, governor and headteacher for the fantastic work they have been doing, every day, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”