Almost £90,000 has been awarded to ensure that hundreds of children from across the county have been able to learn from home.

Cumbria Community Foundation awarded the money to ten schools from various funds, including the Mary Grave Trust, the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund and the Westmorland Family Community Fund, to provide IT equipment to more than 300 children and young people to help them learn remotely.

Judith Schafer, chair of Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders, said: “The Cumbria Alliance of System Leaders launched a laptop for schools project in January to try and get IT kit to children who need it during the current lockdown.

“I am delighted that in response to this, schools have been supported by Cumbria Community Foundation.

“It’s so hard for students to engage in home learning without the right ICT equipment at home. Working from a smartphone or tablet is difficult, and even in homes where there is a computer, it may be being shared between siblings all trying to do lessons at the same time.

“Getting each child, that needs one, their own laptop will transform what they can achieve at home, and that is so important given the disruption students have already experienced and the uncertainty about the future.

“This funding from Cumbria Community Foundation will go a very long way to making sure we reach as many students as we can, as quickly as we can.

“Giving every child access to the right IT kit long term is crucial.

Dr Jenny Benson, director of programmes and partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “The lack of access to digital technology for all pupils is demonstrating existing inequalities in households.

“The Government scheme for laptops has been effective for those identified as having low incomes or eligibility for free school meals. However, there are so many other families that do not fit the specified criteria.

“We are delighted that we have been able to use our funds to meet the changing needs and to support so many young people undertaking home schooling at this challenging time.”