By Alice Neil
A crowdfunding campaign is providing thousands children across the borough with laptops to help them learn during lockdown.
The campaign, which has already raised nearly £97,000, was set up by London South Teaching School Alliance to get pupils across Southwark online, and the total raised will be matched by Southwark Council.
More than 2,500 disadvantaged pupils in Southwark do not have access to a computer, according to a survey of local schools.
This is stopping them from being able to take part in remote learning and is putting them at risk of falling behind.
The money raised through the ‘Laptop for Learning’ crowdfund will give children the digital tools they need for lockdown and beyond for long-term schooling.
Schools that have already received laptops include the St. George’s Cathedral Catholic Primary School, on Westminster Bridge Road and Camelot School on Bird in Bush Road.
Lead Headteacher from London South Teaching School Alliance, Cassie Buchanan said: “With schools likely to remain closed well into the spring term and beyond, the learning gap between disadvantaged children and others is set to get wider.
“We have come together as an alliance of schools to call on residents and the business community to help us to ensure that every child is able to learn online at home.
“This provides a powerful opportunity for us to make a real difference for more children.”
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for children, young people and schools, Cllr Jasmine Ali said: “Our schools have gone above and beyond to try and get their pupils online during lockdown through fundraising.
“But this just hasn’t been enough to bridge the deep digital divide in Southwark.
“Government told schools to increase their use of tech.
“Then they promised us more equipment.
“But we cannot rely on this, because the last time the Department of Education promised laptops, we didn’t get enough.
“The cruel fact is that some of our most disadvantaged children suffered further damage to their education as a result.
“We refuse to accept that some of our most disadvantaged children and young people will be deprived of the education they deserve because they don’t have access to the technology they need for online learning.
“We’ve seen just how brilliantly our communities have pulled together since the pandemic began and encourage residents who are able to donate what they can to help combat the digital exclusion of school children in our borough.”
Businesses who have laptops that they no longer use, or who can refurbish second-hand laptops are being asked for their help.
Southwark council have also secured an agreement with the internet providers Hyperoptic and Community Fiber to offer free broadband to all homes on their estates until the end of the school year.
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