Delighted families received much-needed home learning basics today thanks to our Help a Child to Learn campaign.
Primary school teachers delivered packages of notebooks, crayons, hand sanitiser and felt-tip pens to youngsters in Coventry.
They were described as a “god-send” by parents trying their best to home-school youngsters during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The items were paid for by the National Education Union and kind-hearted Mirror readers, who have raised £185,000.
For poorer pupils struggling with home learning, the basic tools make a huge difference in these unprecedented times.
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Schools across the UK are getting vouchers for either £500, £1,000 or £1,500, depending on their need.
The NEU has donated a whopping £1m to go alongside the £185,000 already raised by our readers.
With doubts raised over the Government’s plans to reopen schools on March 8, the items are needed more than ever.
The Mirror joined staff today at Courthouse Green Primary School in Bell Green, a socially-deprived area of Coventry.
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Headteacher Sarah Malam, 56, is responsible for 685 children - with three quarters of them currently home-schooling.
She said working remotely on iPads and other devices presented new challenges to youngsters.
“They need time off screens too, so we came up with the idea to have ‘switch-off Friday’ when there is no tech,” she said.
“Instead they use paper and pens to create things, or make dens outside or indoor obstacle courses - anything but screens.
“These items kindly donated by the NEU and the Mirror will make it so much easier for families.
“I don’t think any family is finding home learning easy from a financial perspective.
“They have to think about things like heating the house all day, or feeding the kids more than they would usually.
“We have families who are having to decide whether their remaining money goes on ‘food or fuel’.
“So to give them paper, notebooks, pens, hand sanitiser, it’s one less thing for them to have to worry about.
“The local community has its challenges and deprivation, but also wants to provide its children the best education.
“For the kids, it’s tough waking up each day knowing it’s another day on a screen, another day not being able to see your friends.
“So these resources give them something to look forward to, it’s a nice surprise for them.
“The Mirror is doing a great job reminding those in Westminster that there are people up and down the country that are struggling.”
Among the delighted recipients were siblings Harry Griffin, six, and his 11-year-old sister Lily.
They live with their parents and two other siblings in a small semi-detached house close to the school.
The pair were beaming when Mrs Malam knocked on their front door to hand over the home-learning basics.
“It’s brilliant,” said Lily. “It’s so nice to get something like this, I can’t wait to see what is inside.”
Their mum Sandra told the Mirror: “It’s such a nice thing for the school to do and we’re grateful for the help.
“With four kids it’s been tough home-schooling, I won’t lie, but these things do make it easier.
“Especially the youngest - he’d much rather do drawing or playing than be sat in front of a screen.”
How to donate
Online: helpachildtolearn.com
Cheques:
‘Help a Child to Learn’
c/o Help a Child to Learn,
Hamilton House,
Mabledon Place,
London,
WC1H 9BD
