A Primary school has been given twelve laptops to help it keep children connected while learning at home.

True Potential donated the devices to Redhall Primary School, after being put in contact with the school by Darlington MP Peter Gibson.

He said: “I’m delighted to support families at Red Hall Primary School, I continue to work closely with a number of schools in Darlington to ensure that local children have access to learning’

“These are critical tools which students need in order to fully participate in remote learning, I know that these devices will support twelve families to access learning in these challenging times.”

True Potential’s Chief Executive, Daniel Harrison, said: “I’m grateful to Peter for helping to connect us with a school that can put these computers to good use.

“The digital divide is very real and is being felt by children and families every day. I really hope that these computers will enable young people to continue their education in these difficult circumstances.”

More than 30 laptops have already been donated to primary schools and academies in Northumberland, including Adderlane Academy, in Prudhoe, and Newcastle, with more expected to follow.

January’s Covid-19 lockdown means access to classroom learning is restricted for many students and the switch to home-learning has exposed a digital divide that exists in communities across the country.

With some young people unable to access the internet or having to share technology with their siblings and parents, concerns have grown that some students will see their education suffer as a result.

True Potential and its partner organisation the Harrison Foundation donated over £350,000 in 2020 to help manage the effects of Covid-19. The firm also provided thousands of food parcels to vulnerable and isolated people across the UK through its national network of over 4,000 financial advisers.

Praising the donation to Prudhoe’s Adderlane Academy, Northumberland County Councillor Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South, added: “This is a very generous offer that will make a massive difference to the young people, and hopefully the start of a good long-term link between the business and the school.”

Read more about True Potential’s laptop donations here and here.

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