- Firm donates 350 laptops a month to help tackle the digital skills gap
- Over 50% given to schools across the UK*, with the remainder benefiting charities and community groups
- CEO Richard Houston pledges a further 5,000 laptops every year
Deloitte has donated a total of 6,865 laptops to schools, charities and community groups across the UK since first committing to donating the firm’s used laptops in 2021.
Schools in the North West such as St Peters RC High School and Whalley Range 11-18 High School in Manchester and Holly Lodge Girls College in Liverpool have benefitted from the donations, having received 100 laptops each.
Over half (3,600) of the reconditioned laptops have been donated to pupils from 58 schools across the UK, including 25 of Deloitte’s 5 Million Future partner schools, with 3 schools located in the North West.
A survey of schools* that received the laptops during the third national lockdown in 2021 found that teachers reported an improved quality of learning and attendance in online lessons, improved progress and attainment, improved mental health, and increased digital skills.
Stephen Gabriel, headteacher at St Peters RC High School in Manchester, said:
“The laptops that were kindly donated by Deloitte have helped to replace some of the computers that had been retired during an IT overhaul, bringing in a higher quality of equipment that is compatible with the school’s existing IT systems.”
“41 of the Deloitte laptops were allocated to the Art, Design and Technology department, where they’re being used to complete coursework and have undoubtedly been a contributing factor in some excellent results achieved in these subjects since.”
“A further 30 of the laptops were allocated to the Inclusion department, helping to support pupils with Special Educational Needs throughout the school. These laptops are also used during examination periods to help dyslexic and visually impaired pupils to access the exam papers via screen-reader technology.”
Deloitte has reaffirmed its commitment by pledging a further 5,000 laptops every year.
Richard Houston, Senior Partner and Chief Executive at Deloitte UK, said:
“We live in a digitally divided world with unequal access to technology and the skills to use it. Throughout the pandemic we supported thousands of the most vulnerable children to stay connected to education.
“We’ve committed to donating 5,000 of our used laptops to schools, charities and refugees every year to help bridge the digital skills gap and support people to overcome barriers to education and employment.
“The possibilities that technology brings can transform businesses and our communities, but only if we put people at the heart of technological progress and help equip them for the future of work.”
Damian Collins, Digital Minister for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:
“We’re committed to closing the digital divide so young people can take full advantage of the internet’s learning opportunities. We’re investing more than £400 million to boost access to remote education – including securing 1.3 million laptops and tablets for disadvantaged young people – as well as rolling out lightning-fast gigabit broadband to thousands of schools.
“It’s great that Deloitte shares our goal to get more children gaining digital skills that will last them a lifetime.”
