More youngsters can now access online classes thanks to a donation of laptops.

Cash Converters has donated nine of them to help families and pupils at Westgate Primary School in Dartford.

Children and teachers at Westgate Primary in Summerhill Road, like all schools, are currently interacting through daily online learning.

After being supplied with 12 government laptops from the Department of Education, the school still had families on the waiting list for a home-learning device, with some having to use their parents’ mobile phones.

Paul Saunders, franchisee at Cash Converters in Dartford High Street, heard of the problem and stepped in to help by donating nine laptops.

Paul said: “It’s a sad reality that there are many families in Dartford who don’t have access to laptops and devices to help with learning at home, and that’s why I wanted to help.

“It’s been a pleasure to be able to support Westgate Primary School, and to help more families in the area get access to education at home. I would encourage any business that’s in a position to help schools out during this time to do so, as communities like ours need to stick together.”

Once children are allowed to return to school, the donated laptops will be used to support children with additional learning needs.

Head teacher Jennifer Evans said: “Schools like ours up and down the country are being faced with the same problem. There simply aren’t enough devices available for all families right now and that makes home learning incredibly challenging.

“Staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that our children have three to four hours of interactive online learning every day, and the fact that some children are missing out on this is a real issue for us.

“All children have a right to access education, and that includes access to the proper tools to help them get online. And that’s why we’re so incredibly grateful to Paul and his team at Cash Converters Dartford for offering to support us.

"The laptops have already been issued to families on our waiting list and parents have been so appreciative of the store’s kindness. We’re proud to be part of a community that supports one another when times are hard.”

For more information on Dartford Cash Converters, please visit their website here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford