Asda donates laptops to Worksop schools to help cut digital exclusion

The supermarket giant recently formed a partnership with technology provider Dell to invest over £2 million so that every Asda in the UK could donate at least ten laptops to a school in need in their local community.

The community champions at each store had to nominate a nearby primary or secondary school where some families are struggling to support home learning.

Asda Worksop nominated Langold Dyscarr Community School, Asda Worksop Victoria nominated Priory C of E Primary School, Asda Worksop Gateford nominated Outwood Academy Valley, Asda Harworth nominated Serlby Park Academy and Asda East Retford nominated St Swithuns C of E Primary.

Each tech bundle includes a headset and a mobile internet dongle with a data allowance of 20gb from Asda’s network partner Vodafone.

The dongle and data allowance has been funded by a separate £500,000 contribution from the retailer’s charity arm, The Asda Foundation. Laptops will also include a one-year warranty and technical support.

According to Ofcom, around nine per cent of children in the UK – between 1.1 million and 1.8 million – do not have access to a laptop, desktop or tablet at home.

These children are primarily from disadvantaged backgrounds and have been disproportionately affected by the lockdown, putting them at risk of falling further behind their peers.

Asda’s chief executive and president, Roger Burnley, said: “It’s clear that digital exclusion is an issue affecting many thousands of children who attend schools in communities that we serve.

"These children have been disproportionately affected by the lockdown and are at risk of falling further behind their peers.

"We want to do all we can to help break down the digital barriers so they can continue their education remotely.”

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