Member Article

Liverpool law firm donates computers to keep students connected

Family-run Liverpool law firm CEL Solicitors has upgraded and donated 23 computers to Clifford Holroyde Specialist SEN College to give students access to lessons during lockdown.

The college, based in Knotty Ash, is dedicated to supporting students who have social, emotional and mental health needs.

Teachers at the college are interacting with pupils online during the lockdown to limit the amount of learning lost and provide essential support to vulnerable families.

There is a concern across the country that lack of technology could lead to a barrier to education for many children and young people.

The PCs donated by CEL Solicitors to Clifford Holroyde will be distributed between key stage 3 and key stage 4 pupils who may otherwise have lacked access to such technology, enabling them to stay connected and access vital online learning from home.

CELs donation was supported by Liverpool IT specialists Parallel ICT who checked all computers for reliability and securely wiped them. As well as re-installing them with the latest version of Windows 10 including an antivirus and applying all relevant security updates.

Headteacher Jane Pepa said: “We are extremely grateful to CEL for its kind donation. The computers will be put to very good use and make a real difference to children who would otherwise have no access to IT for home learning.

“They will benefit our pupils in many ways. Firstly during this lockdown period they will be given to some of our more vulnerable pupils so they can access online learning and following the lockdown it will massively increase the opportunities within the classroom.”

CEL Solicitors specialises in civil litigation including housing disrepair claims, data breach claims, Plevin and financial mis-selling and Japanese Knotweed claims.

Director Amy Tagoe said CEL Solicitors wants to play their part in ensuring the crisis doesn’t leave any child behind: “We know there are many families out there that do not have access to computers and now more than ever this is of vital importance to help children stay connected.

“With the schools still being closed to the majority of pupils, we wanted to do our part to help provide equipment for particularly vulnerable students to work from home, as well as stay connected with their friends.

“Seeing people come together during the crisis has given people hope and we will continue to support our local community wherever we can, whether that be through the computer and equipment donations or fighting for the rights of tenants during the pandemic to ensure vulnerable families are protected.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Williams .