Bedfordshire schools get ready to come together to beat digital poverty

Schools across Bedfordshire will be taking part in a social media relay later this month to raise money for students who do not have access to technology at home.

Luton Learning Link, a group made up of the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Luton's Council's of Mosques, Luton Education Service and Level Trust, are organising the event on November 27.

Schools will be divided in to three lists, one for each authority - Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough.

Luton Learning Link will start off the tweet and send it to the first school on each list by tagging them in the tweet, the school will then tag the next school on the list, and so on. The authority that reaches the last school on the list first wins.

Since Luton Learning Link came together back in May, they have provided 313 digital devices to Luton students who did not have one to learn on at home.

This work was made possible through grants and support from Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation Coronavirus Emergency Fund, Crimebeat and Lady Fatemah Trust.

A recent report by The Centre for Research on Learning and Life Chances estimated that 20% of all disadvantaged pupils did not have access to a device to learn on at home during lockdown.

Daniel Connor, Head Teacher at Challney High School for boys said: "I can't describe the need of the provide of laptops and WiFi to students.

"The digital divide is not only to do with the current pandemic it's the change in the current curriculum.

"A student that doesn't have access to a device is like a students without an exercise book or pen and paper."

Luton Learning Link have recently joined forces with Bedford charity FACES and other organisations from across Bedfordshire to help the rest of the county to benefit.

The Relay is being put together by Daniel Chaplen, a Luton primary school teacher and founder of Challenge Inspiration, an activity based events enterprise.

Mr Chaplen has already raised over £31,000 this year for children living in financial hardship.

Susan Lousada, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire said: "I am proud that the work of Luton Learning Link has helped 300 students so far but we know there are many more across Bedfordshire who need our support.

"We are delighted that Mr Chaplen has chosen to use his skills to support this critical campaign and I hope as many of our schools as possible will get behind the event."

The group hope the relay will raise a further £44,000 which can provide 200 more laptops to young people in our county.

For more information and how to support the event visit: dchaplen.wordpress.com/bedfordshire-learning-link-school-twitter-relay/.