Manchester Grammar School (MGS) has secured a £1.1 million funding package from Lombard Asset Finance to provide all pupils from year five to year 13 with laptops.
The independent day school for boys used the finance to invest in 400 Microsoft Surface Go and 800 Microsoft Pro 7 devices which were distributed to pupils from September 2020.
The devices have been essential during the third national lockdown as the school’s teachers continue to deliver a complete daily timetable of virtual lessons across every subject. Lessons are currently adapted for home learning, incorporating a variety of creative ways to engage pupils remotely.
When the school reopens to all pupils on 8th March, the Microsoft devices will continue to form an integral part of learning and will be incorporated into classroom teaching methods.
Founded in 1515, the school has built a reputation as one of the country’s top academic schools. MGS currently has 1,500 pupils aged from seven to 17, and 200 staff.
Martin Boulton, High Master at MGS, said: “It is part of the ethos at MGS that our boys, and our staff, rise to meet any challenge and in the face of adversity comes an opportunity to innovate. While the educational challenges posed by the lockdown should not be underestimated, at all times, our aim has always been to ensure our boys receive an education of the highest possible quality.
“We have a fostered an excellent, long-term relationship with NatWest who recommended Lombard. With the support from Lombard, we have adapted to incorporate the Surface Pro devices into our teaching, and we will continue to harness this technology so that we can offer our boys access to first-class teaching and learning. We are so proud of our boys who have worked exceptionally hard during the lockdowns and have responded to difficult and strange circumstances in an exemplary manner.”
Lee Thompson, NatWest Senior Relationship Manager, Byron Edwards, Lombard Technology Relationship Director and Jackie Grundy, Lombard Senior Relationship Manager, continue to support MGS.
Lee Thompson said: “The funding provided has enabled MGS to give all upper school pupils new Microsoft devices and allow teachers to continue to provide a first-class education to pupils even when lessons are being delivered remotely. The positive feedback from the boys is testament to the importance of these devices and they will continue to play a crucial role in their learning even when all pupils are back in the classroom.”
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