HUNDREDS of students have received new laptops from energy company Drax to support their studies during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Drax which operates the UK's largest power station near Selby has invested £250,000 in 853 new laptops, each with three months of pre-paid internet access via a 30GB dongle, to support their learning over the summer term.

The HP Chromebook laptops are being delivered to Drax’s partner schools, local to its operations across Britain, including Selby High School, Barwic Parade Primary, Camblesforth Primary, Selby Abbey Primary, Selby Community Primary and Selby College.

It is part of the company’s efforts to support its communities as a founding member of the C-19 Business Pledge, a national scheme which encourages employers to join the coronavirus effort by pledging to help their employees, customers and communities to get through the crisis. .

With schools and colleges closed, many children whose families do not own a computer are finding it difficult to access learning resources.

Will Gardiner, Drax Group CEO, said: “We’re very happy to help people in our communities by providing our partner schools with the technology they need to get more students connected online so they can keep learning during the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.”

Ian Clennan, head teacher of Selby Community Primary School, said: “This donation of laptops from Drax is going to make a huge difference to the lives of pupils currently without access to online educational resources – as well as our whole school community after the Coronavirus lockdown is over.

“Ensuring no-one gets left behind in their studies during the lockdown is a priority for us, but schools don’t just provide education – they’re a whole support system. Having computers and internet access means pupils can keep in touch with their teachers and classmates more easily too – which is also incredibly important at the moment.”

Nigel Adams MP for Selby and Ainsty, said: “The donation of 292 laptops and internet access is very welcome and is just one example of how Drax play an important role in supporting our communities and helping our young people reach their full potential.

“Education is essential, and the laptops means that 292 children will be able to keep up with their studies while schools are closed but also afterwards when there is wealth of learning available to them on-line via the new laptops”.

Snaith secondary, Goole secondary, Campsmount Academy, and East Yorkshire Children’s care leavers service have also received laptops from Drax.