Coronavirus lockdown: Laptops offered to needy UK teens for online school lessons

Disadvantaged teenagers in England will be able to borrow laptops to help them study at home when schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department for Education is also supporting free online lessons for primary and secondary pupils.

Laptops or tablets will be provided for some deprived 15-year-olds who do not already have access to a computer.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said it will “take the pressure” off parents with children at home.

“Schools will remain shut until the scientific advice changes,” said Mr Williamson.

To help parents now running their own classrooms, the government is promoting a series of 180 online lessons per week, for pupils from reception through to Year 10.

Laptops or computer devices will be provided for some disadvantaged pupils in Year 10 – who will be taking their GCSEs next year.

There is no specified number of laptops available, or set budget, and it will be up to schools or local authorities to decide who needs help with access to a computer.

They will also be available to children with a social worker or those leaving care – with schools keeping the computers when regular classes open again.

There is also the offer of some 4G routers to help families connect to the internet.

The promises over technology reflect worries that pupils from poorer families could be disproportionately losing out during the weeks out of school.

An academy trust, AET, has already bought 9,000 laptops and devices to give a computer to all its pupils eligible for free school meals, so that they can stay connected.

For pupils learning at home, online lessons have been prepared by teachers and education organisations, including the Sutton Trust and Teach First, and will be available under the label of Oak National Academy.

These will be hour-long lessons in a range of subjects, presented by a teacher, with worksheets and a quiz.

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