Laptop initiative for schools

Nantwich Rotary Laptop Initiative 

As lockdown came suddenly for schools, many children had no laptops or way of receiving lessons.  Also, many teaching assistants were unable to support the teachers as they did not have laptops either. This has been a particular challenge as many children need special 1 to 1 teaching, and it is a requirement that each online lesson has a teacher and a teaching assistant in attendance. 

In response to this urgent need, the Rotary Club of Nantwich contacted The Laptop Shop in Nantwich and explained the challenge and the proposed solution.   Peter Critton, the owner, was tremendously supportive and helpful.  After a few phone calls and some local advertising, used and unwanted laptops started to arrive at the shop, which Peter and his team generously agreed to clean and set up at cost.  Generous financial donations were also made which covered Peter’s costs and enabled the purchase of additional laptops. 

Tony Hoy, the Rotary Club of Nantwich Acting President, offered to collect the laptops from people who had offered theirs to the cause.  Rotarian John Crowe who set up the appeal said: “The response has been fantastic, and in a short time we have had over 70 laptops for Peter at the laptop shop to sort through, wipe clean and set up ready for school use.  Within two weeks we donated and delivered 25 laptops to the Nantwich Primary Academy and hope to deliver more to other schools too.”

Mrs Julia McGhie, SENCO and teacher at Nantwich Primary Academy said: “This has been a fantastic and rapid response from The Nantwich Rotary Club.  It has made such a difference for our children, and we have arranged our lessons so they don’t clash, which means that more than more one child in each family can use the laptops in one day.  When the lockdown is over and the children return to school, the laptops will be returned to the school and used for 1 to 1 teaching and computer studies.”

This has been a tremendous success and another occasion when the Nantwich Rotary Club has stepped forward to help our community.