School Gets 50 Laptop Computers To Help With Online Learning

Published on: 21 Jan, 2021
Updated on: 22 Jan, 2021

Fifty laptop computers have been donated to Kings College in Park Barn for use by pupils studying at home because of the lockdown.

An online meeting between Kings College’s principal Alastair McKenzie and the leader of Guildford Borough Council, Joss Bigmore, resulted in the donation within a few days.

From left: the principal of Kings College, Alastair McKenzie; the chairman of Guildford Philanthropy, Peter Cluff; the managing director of Unigold 2000, Matt Gaskin; and the leader of Guildford Borough Council, Joss Bigmore.

The school had provided tablet device computers for pupils to ensure access to a computer during the previous lockdown. The school says the new laptop computers will significantly improve pupils’ learning experience.

The computers have been supplied by Guildford-based IT company Unigold 2000, in conjunction with Guildford Philanthropy, that was conceived in 2014 by Guildford Borough Council and The Community Foundation for Surrey specifically to help disadvantaged people in the borough of Guildford.

King College principal Alastair McKenzie said: “This incredible donation of 50 laptops will help us to bridge the digital divide and support our students in their current learning at home. We are humbled and inspired by this support.”

The leader of Guildford Borough Council, Joss Bigmore, added: “We are always here to help, but especially so at a time like this, when our community needs its council most.

“Unigold 2000’s eagerness to help was invaluable in allowing us to work so quickly, and we thank them for their continued support of Guildford Philanthropy.

“I would encourage businesses in the borough to contact Guildford Philanthropy if they would like to become corporate ambassadors as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes. We need more companies like Unigold to join us.”

The managing director of Unigold 2000, Matt Gaskin, said: “A massive thank you to Guildford Philanthropy for funding these systems and to our own support clients, including Celsus Group Ltd, the largest healthcare provider in the UK, for being able to provide 20 of the laptops within 24 hours. We hope these systems help to educate and keep families and friends connected in these uncertain times.”

The chairman of Guildford Philanthropy, Peter Cluff, added: “This is a great example of how we can help young people to develop skills which will have lifelong benefits.”

Guildford borough ward councillor for Westborough and its lead councillor for community, Julia McShane, said: “It’s another example of our collaboration with Kings College, who we helped to install a new state-of-the-art 3G football pitch in 2019.

“The school also hosts our hugely-popular Fun in the School Holidays playscheme.