Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust has stepped in to help primary schools during lockdown.
Pupils at Sutton Coldfield primary schools who are struggling to access technology for remote learning during the pandemic are to benefit from a £90,000 fund from the Royal Town’s oldest charitable organisation.
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust (SCCT), which has supported local groups and people since Tudor times, has acted swiftly to allocate the £90,000 emergency response to local primary schools.
Almost all Primary Schools in Sutton have made an application for up to £5,000 from the emergency fund.
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust
Tina Swani, the Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “We were deeply concerned that in some households there are more than 3 or 4 individuals, of all ages, trying to learn and work with only one or two devices between them.
“The Trust prides itself on being an agile organisation that has been able to respond swiftly to a crisis that puts children’s development at risk.”
A recent survey of schools in the Borough identified that whilst many have had an allocation of funding for devices from the government, this was not initially supplied in full, and even now, falls very short of the need in each school.
In particular, infant schools do not receive a government allocation for home learning IT at all.
This means that when school children are sent home due to their “bubble” or staffing levels being affected by the virus, they may not have the necessary equipment to access on-line learning activities.
There have been reports where several children in a household are without the required equipment, or parents working from home are attempting to share their laptop with a child.
The Trustees of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, which is based at Lingard House, in Fox Hollies Rd, have agreed to allocate this emergency grant, from their charitable income.
The Trust wrote out to all primary schools, with a simple form for each to complete to apply for up to £5,000 per school. Almost all Primary Schools in Sutton made an application. Whilst this meant stretching the funding further, every school that applied was awarded some funding to buy much-needed devices.
“Trustees wanted this to be a swift response to support the schools’ parents and pupils in having access to effective education. I am deeply proud of our Trustees and staff team for making this happen,”
– tina swani, chief executive
sutton coldfield charitable trust
Tina Swani added: “Trustees wanted this to be a swift response to support the schools’ parents and pupils in having access to effective education. I am deeply proud of our Trustees and staff team for making this happen.”
Local Head Teachers have reacted to the news from the Trust, describing it as ‘uplifting’ during a time of overwhelming challenges.
Alison Walklett, Head Teacher New Oscott Primary School, said: “Thank you so much to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for this most generous donation. It will make a real difference to our pupils.”
Carl Glasgow, Head Teacher Boldmere Infant and Junior School, said: “I cannot thank you enough for letting us know that both Boldmere Schools have been successful with their applications of the much-needed Home Learning Grant that will allow for the additional purchasing of home learning devices that will make a real difference to the children that need them in our schools. This is wonderful news!”
Catherine Lewis, is Chair of the Learning Trust for Excellence, which runs ten schools based in and around Sutton Coldfield: Coppice, Court Farm, Deanery Church of England, Four Oaks, Langley, Little Sutton, Hollyfield, Moor Hall, Town Junior, Whitehouse Common.
She said: “It has sometimes felt that schools have had to do this on their own, with little or no extra financial support from the government … it is against this backdrop that the offer of support from your Trust was received.
“It will make a real difference to our pupils,”
– ALISON WALKLETT, NEW OSCOTT PRIMARY SCHOOLHEAD TEACHER
“Heads have been unanimous in the positive feeling that it has given them at this time. To understand that we are all part of a community, that gives support where it is needed, has been a much needed boost for schools to realise that we are not alone – but part of something much bigger. The fact that it was unsolicited and came out of the blue made it all the more uplifting.”
The move has also been welcomed by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council.
A spokesperson said: “The Town Council is delighted to hear of the Trust’s initiative to quickly provide urgently needed devices to support children’s home learning.
“We are liaising with the Trust and schools on this important issue to see if there is additional support the Town Council could provide.
“We worked closely with the Trust at the beginning of the pandemic to get funding to local organisations as part of the immediate response to support local residents and we are looking to once again work with the Trust to get vital help to where it is needed most.”