ALMOST 600 free laptops have been provided for disadvantaged and vulnerable children in St Helens to support home learning during the coronavirus crisis.

The scheme was announced in April and is part of a push from the government to make remote education accessible for pupils staying at home.

To date, 593 laptops and devices have been allocated to children and young people across St Helens.

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Cllr Sue Murphy, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for developing young people, said the devices have been an “invaluable lifeline” to pupils.

But in St Helens, some children have had to wait until this month to finally get their device.

De La Salle School received their allocations on Friday, June 12, according to headteacher Andrew Rannard.

Mr Rannard also said the school only received 40 per cent of what it actually requested.

Earlier this month, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was forced to refute claims that delivery of the laptops were late.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Williamson assured MPs that all 230,000 devices would be delivered by the end of the month.

In St Helens, 133 laptops have now been allocated to Year 10 pupils in maintained schools. This figure does not include any laptops provided to disadvantaged pupils in academies.

A further 440 laptops were provided for vulnerable children and those in the council’s care, along with 20 tablets with specific apps to help children with disabilities.

In addition, social workers have helped to identify those who are in need of the support and have provided 4G routers for a small number of households that do not have internet access.

Cllr Murphy, deputy leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “Every child should have access to education regardless of their situation and although the coronavirus pandemic has brought about issues with this we have been determined to make sure children in St Helens borough do not miss out.

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“School staff have played a crucial role in helping young people to continue their learning, whether at school or from home, and have overcome challenges to make sure children are well supported.

“We have been working closely with our schools and families to make sure that young people are not disadvantaged as a result of the impact on schools throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“Although some classes have returned and many were still open to pupils throughout the lockdown period it might not have been possible for all children to use schools so these laptops and devices have been an invaluable lifeline to offer access to learning.”