RHAYADER Church in Wales Primary School have thanked the community for donating recycled PCs and laptops to enable children without technology be able to access remote learning at home.

During lockdown, the school was aware that families did not have access to digital devices at home or have children sharing devices. Powys County Council’s education department was able to supply 10 laptops and a number of MiFi devices to help the learners, but a shortage of devices across the county resulted in more families left without access to the much-needed technology.

The school was open to the children of key workers and vulnerable children and needed devices in school and also for staff who were also all working online. The school devices were in short supply. Parent Gemma Jones asked what could be done to help the school and organised a community project along with IT consultant Keith Fielding. The community was asked for old and redundant PCs and laptops and these would be wiped and rebuilt so they could be given out to children in the community that were most in need.

On Monday, January 18, the school took delivery of the first batch of renewed devices and these were distributed to parents that didn't have a device at home or for families that needed additional equipment so siblings could work simultaneously.

The school has been amazed by the support of their local community and the time the organisers have taken to set up the project. Anonymous financial donations have allowed the project to purchase webcams and headsets so live lessons can be accessed safely.

Headteacher Linda Crockett said: “We are confident that all families who requested digital devices have now had what they need for the children to carry out the home schooling.

“It shows what can be done when everyone works together. The local authority supplied what they were able to but the demand for equipment across Powys schools was unprecedented.

“The internet in a rural area like Rhayader can be a challenge but with the community support and the MiFi dongles mean we have been able to support every family and ensure the learning opportunities are provided for everyone.”

Donations are still being made and the council is hoping to roll out devices to other schools or families which are in need across Powys.