Elstree Schools Deliver Bundles of Laptops and Dongles to Several Other Local Schools in Bid to Support Families with Home Learning

Lack of devices at home and access to the Internet continues to be a growing problem for many struggling children

2 February 2021, Hertfordshire, – Two leading independent schools, Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls and The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree, have been busy delivering bundles of new laptops and dongles with pre-loaded internet to several schools in the community this week. The initiative has been created by both schools in a bid to support the rising numbers of families struggling to access learning at home, due to poor internet connectivity and lack of devices. 

Schools currently receiving the equipment include the London Academy, Bourne Hill Primary, How Wood Primary, Cowley Hill Primary, Fairfield Junior and St John’s Radlett, to name a few. 

Joshua Plotkin, Director of Partnerships for both of the Haberdashers’ Schools in Elstree, explained: “One of the key issues many families are facing right now is access to the internet and with it, access to the resources they need for their remote learning.  The pre-loaded dongles give students an instant 4G connection: even if there are not enough laptops to go round at the moment, most will have a smartphone, which as a last resort, they will now be able to use for their education without worrying about racking up huge bills.  The feedback from the schools has been hugely positive.  They were delighted to receive the support and had already made arrangements to distribute the equipment to those in their community who really need it.”

As well as providing a number of Chromebooks and dongles to support home learning, Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls and The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School have also created a raft of educational ‘BookyBoxes’ for primary students. These packs contain a great book, ready-made guided reading resources and a fun and relevant activity or toy.  These are being delivered to local families in the community to provide additional remote learning support.

Mr Plotkin explains: “The BookyBoxes are a kind of ‘Happy Meal’ for books. Something that’s packaged this way will always feel more exciting and if we can make reading feel special, then we might just inspire a child to discover what books can offer them.”  “We feel a responsibility towards all of the children in our community who are struggling to access the learning they are entitled to. The schools have already told us how much difference these resources and devices will make to those families that are having a hard time.  Many told us how they had explored a number of routes to obtain devices, without success, so we are delighted to be able to help in some small way,” continued Mr Plotkin.

About Habs Boys www.habsboys.org.uk  

Founded in 1690, The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School (Habs) is a leading independent school for students aged 5 -18 years.  Habs prides itself on ‘nurturing excellence’ while offering a world-class education and enthusiastic learning environment for inquisitive boys.  Its rural, 100-acre site and exceptional facilities also provide an outstanding setting for a well-rounded, stimulating educational experience. Based on the same campus as Habs Girls in Elstree, Hertfordshire and within easy reach of London, Habs Boys is able to provide the best of singlesex education, in a unique co-educational environment, nurturing happy, energetic students and preparing them to become citizens of a global 21^st Century.

About Habs Girls www.habsgirls.org.uk

Founded in 1875, Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls (Habs) is a leading independent school for students aged 4 to 18 years.  Based in Elstree, Hertfordshire, its current and historic academic results place it amongst the highest ranked independent schools operating in the UK today.  Set in over 100 acres of stunning countryside and within easy reach of London, the school is committed to the development of each individual child, providing a challenging, friendly learning environment and a positive, stimulating and secure community that welcomes students from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.  Based on the same campus as Habs Boys, Habs Girls’ School is able to provide single-sex education, in a co-educational environment, nurturing happy, hardworking pupils and preparing them to become citizens of a global 21^st Century.