True Potential Laptop Donation To Local School Welcomed by Catherine McKinnell MP

Catherine McKinnell, Member of Parliament for Newcastle North, has expressed her gratitude to True Potential for the donation of much needed laptops to Farne Primary School.

We’re committed to doing more at True Potential, and doing more for our community is as important as ever during the current lockdown challenges. The donation of these laptops was made possible when True Potential’s Senior Partner team approached Catherine to say they could donate new and reconditioned equipment to a local school in need.

Farne Primary School (part of the SMART Multi Academy Trust) had contacted Catherine to share their concern that a lack of equipment was proving a real barrier to learning for families at the school. Catherine was able to link up True Potential with the primary school so that the pupils could benefit.

Catherine was delighted to help True Potential’s mission to do more in the community. “I would like to thank True Potential LLP for their very generous donation of laptops to Farne Primary School,” she commented. “We have always known in Newcastle that our community stands shoulder to shoulder in the face of difficulty and this is a fantastic example of that Geordie spirit.

“It’s incredibly frustrating that many schools and children are still without the equipment they need to enable them to receive a quality education during this further period of national lockdown. It’s also why the local community stepping up has proved so vital.”

Daniel Harrison, True Potential Chief Executive, was pleased to be able to help. “Being in lockdown again presents many new and familiar challenges to families, including juggling work with trying to teach children. Access to enough devices so that the whole family can learn and work has proved to be a very real issue.

“So I’m glad we were able to respond immediately and do our bit to help. We contacted suppliers and bought new machines to be donated to local schools. We have also reconditioned some unused equipment that can now be put to good use.

“I’m grateful to Catherine for connecting us to Farne Primary School and I really hope that these computers will enable young people to continue their education in these difficult circumstances.”

Lee Gallon, Executive Headteacher of Farne Primary School, was delighted to receive the much needed laptops donation. “We are extremely grateful for the kind donation of laptops to support our pupils and families,” he said. We have now had a full allocation of laptops from the government for our most vulnerable children.  However, these additional laptops from True Potential LLP have meant that more of our pupils will access our school curriculum through our online learning offer and therefore access additional teaching and learning materials.

“Undoubtedly too, this equipment has alleviated the additional anxieties and worries of some of our parents who have had limited use of technology and enabled them to fully support and engage in home learning.

“The offer from True Potential is a true indicator of how our community can work together, help each other and show support for one another during a time of prolonged uncertainty, increased anxieties and additional worries”.

You can learn more about the recent work of True Potential and the Harrison Foundation here.

 

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