Donated council laptops given to TBAP schools

Many more of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea’s young learners will be able to access online education packages from home after both councils donated laptops to two TBAP schools.  

In addition to the 105 council devices that were delivered to vulnerable families in Westminster, the two London councils have joined together to donate 30 laptops to Beachcroft and Latimer Alternative Provision Academies to support their students.

Many of the pupils who attend the two schools have been excluded from mainstream school. The re-purposed and refurbished council laptops have a Microsoft licence which gives young people the tools they need to access online resources to keep learning from home.  

Cllr Timothy Barnes, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “These laptops will prove invaluable for many of our students who attend Beachcroft and Latimer Alternative Provision Academies.

“During these unprecedented times where many children aren’t attending school, it’s important everyone is able to access the same resources and remain connected to their teachers.”  

Cllr David Lindsay, Kensington and Chelsea’s Lead Member for Families, Children and Schools, said: “It’s so important that young learners don’t fall behind due to circumstances out of their control.

“By providing these laptops to students at Beachcroft and Latimer Alternative Provision Academies, we can be sure they can attend their online classes, research homework and stay connected with their teachers and classmates.”

The DfE is now providing laptops to individual children supported by children’s social care and vulnerable children in year 10.

Wasim Butt, principal of TBAP Beachcroft AP Academy and Latimer AP Academy, said: “Bi-Borough Children’s Services have made a very generous offer which will ensure our vulnerable learners, who are not covered by the current government scheme, are able to access our online learning programme.”