Published February 2, 2021 at 13:00
Rossendale engineering firm RPS Precision Engineering have donated two brand-new laptops to Rossendale Alder Grange Sixth Form (ag6).
The family owned and managed engineering company heard that local schools and colleges were asking for tech for their students to help with remote learning from Rossendale Council’s business support team.
Michael Sirrell MD said: “Rossendale Council business support have recently been advising and supporting us with our move to new premises at New Hall Hey as well as various funding to help businesses struggling with the Covid restrictions.
“They mentioned that schools and colleges were asking for companies to donate their old computers for the students. Initially we were going to donate some reconditioned computers but then decided it would be far better if the kids could work on new up to date machines – so we bought some brand-new ones instead.”
Dawn Luszczak Head of Sixth Form at ag6 said: “It has been quite a challenge trying to ensure that all pupils have adequate tech for the work they need to carry out at home. If there is more than one child in the household, and parents are trying to work from home too, ensuring everyone has a device to work from can be hard for many.”
With remote learning set to remain until March at the earliest it has become an increasingly important necessity to bridge the gap between remote and in-school learning.
Miss Luszczak continued: “It’s been an incredibly tough time for students, they’ve had to adapt and get used to remote learning, plus they have a lot of uncertainty with regards to exams. We try as best we can to make sure that all students have everything they need and donations like this from RPS are really appreciated.”
Council Leader Alyson Barnes said: “Our children have lost a lot of teaching time already since last year and no student should be penalised because they don’t have access to the right IT.
“The council have good well-established links with many businesses and organisations and it’s great when we can come together to support the future of our children who will go on to be the future workforce of Rossendale.”
photo caption l to r: Joanna Griffiths Alder Grange Head Teacher, Dawn Luszczak Head of 6th form , Michael Sirrell MD at RPS Precision Engineering Ltd