NORTH West Academies Trust's appeal for used laptops to help more children access online lessons has saved local schools approximately £100,000.

That's the verdict of CEO Steve Docking, who says he has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people and businesses across Cheshire and Shropshire.

NWAT, which runs eight schools, launched the campaign soon after the turn of the year when an audit found 150 of their pupils did not have a device with which to join online classrooms.

The Chester-based Trust quickly hit their initial target to accommodate their own children, but pushed on to help other schools in the surrounding areas.

Now Mr Docking has reported that more than 300 devices were donated during the drive, along with £1,000 worth of free WiFi dongles.

He said: “It's been unbelievable really. What started with me sending out a couple of emails turned into a big effort involving many people who all wanted to lend a hand.

“In times of crises it's important we all come together, and that has certainly been the case with this. Education is so important and we couldn't stand back and allow children to miss lessons just because they did not have a laptop or tablet.

“The response we have received has been superb, and I'm so grateful to everyone who dug deep to help make a huge difference.

“Even after we covered all the children in the Trust we felt it important to help other schools in the area, and I'm delighted we have been able to do that.

“I think if we had paid to meet the shortfall, it would have cost in excess of £100,000 so this represents a huge saving which I'm very pleased with.”

One school which showed its support for the campaign was The King's School, Chester, which sourced spare, second-hand laptops and iPad/tablets and was thrilled to drop off these devices at its Chester Schools Together partners at Blacon High School and The Bishops’ Blue Coat High School.

Ian Wilson, headteacher of Bishops’ Blue Coat, said: “This project shows everyone in education being the best of themselves. Our communities approach the many challenges of these times with kindness and compassion. I would like to extend our thanks to The King’s School for co-coordinating with partners to enable electronic devices to support our at home learners during this period of lockdown.

“The Chester Schools Together partnership is all about collaboration and working together. Schools supporting each other during these uncertain times can only benefit the students and enable them to flourish.”

Headteacher at Blacon High School Rachel Hudson said: “On behalf of everyone here, we would like to extend our thanks to North West Academies for this scheme and to all of the families who have donated.

“It makes such a difference to our students, to have their own device in order to continue with their learning at home at this time.”

Special thanks must go to telecoms and IT company Vivio and Aldi Stores Ltd, Neston branch for the donation of a number of new and second-hand devices, all of which are now being used by students across Chester.

King's School headteacher George Hartley added: “Once again we have been blown away by the generosity of our parents and pupils and I am so pleased that the scheme has directly benefited our partner schools.

“Huge thanks to North West Academies Trust for first launching the scheme and for facilitating the wiping of all of the donated devices. It was a fantastic opportunity for our parents to make a real and immediate impact on the lives of young people across the city.”

The coronavirus lockdown has presented a huge challenge to schools, but teachers have worked hard to adapt lessons to online platforms.

To get all children involved, NWAT pledged to collect all donated devices, had them professionally wiped, and then distributed them where there was a need.

Members of staff at the schools, parents and governors all chipped in to help, and businesses in the area answered the call as the campaign gathered pace.

A number of donated devices did not function, but all were recycled and nothing was wasted.

NWAT, runs Grosvenor Park Academy, Acresfield Academy and St Martin's Academy in Chester; Rudheath Senior Academy, Weaverham Primary Academy and Delamere Academy near Northwich; Oak View Academy at Winsford and Ellesmere Primary in Shropshire.