Youngsters who are unable to learn remotely at home because they do not have access to a laptop are set to benefit from Lancashire County Council’s new decision.

Many young children are being denied their basic right to education because they cannot access online learning at home during lockdown.

Following a decision by council leaders, hundreds of laptops worth up to £1million will be made available to pupils who have so far been unable to access computer equipment through any national or local schemes.

This move comes as Blog Preston joins the Cash for Connectivity campaign to help children get online during home-school.

The appeal is part of the Laptops for Kids campaign, launched by technology entrepreneur David Richards and supported by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and a growing number of newspapers, websites, businesses and local authorities across the North of England – including LancsLive and the Lancashire Post.

Earlier this month, the Department for Education said a minimum amount of learning should be provided at each Key Stage for primary and secondary school pupils who are learning at home because of lockdown.

However, this remote learning is dependent on access to suitable laptops.

Currently schools are only open to the children of critical workers and vulnerable children, meaning the majority are being taught at home.

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County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, cabinet member for children, education and schools, said: “Our schools are doing a brilliant job ensuring pupils are able to continue with their education, which is so important at this really difficult time.

“This move will ensure that no child misses out because they do not have access to the right equipment.

“Already the County Council has helped allocate and distribute 4,745 laptops and 506 routers via the Department for Education’s scheme to help pupils connect on-line.

“We wanted to ensure that no child in the county was left behind or disadvantaged because of lockdown.

“Our staff will now be working to identify pupils who will benefit from this decision, and agree the purchase of laptops which will be distributed via schools and colleges to those in need.”

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