FIFTEEN students received laptops to help with schooling thanks to a parish council.

Pupils at both Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe, and Cotford St Luke Primary School received devices from Cotford St Luke Parish Council.

Councillor Lisa Davies suggested they apply for the funding from the Community Chest Fund through Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) during lockdown.

And so the council decided to apply for £7,500 and then add 25 per cent on top (£2,500), in order to buy laptops for students who don't have their own.

However, as schools re-opened on March 8, the parish council only received £2,500. But they were still willing to give £2,500 on top of this.

So, armed with £5,000, the council contacted both Kingsmead School and Cotford St Luke Primary School and asked how many pupils could benefit from a laptop.

And so the £5,000 was used to buy 15 laptops.

Cllr Adrian Coucher, chairman of Cotford St Luke Parish Council, said: “Some children were suffering with their learning from home during the lockdown due to the lack of enough electronic devices in the household.

"So we as Parish Council decided to help with this by applying for this grant from SWT and donating £2,500 to buy laptops for Cotford St Luke primary school and Kingsmead Community School.”

Kingsmead School pupils received 12 laptops.

“These 12 devices support students at home or in the classroom," added Charlie Pierce, deputy headteacher.

"They enable students to access educational content, interact virtually with teachers and record learning. They become invaluable during the period of remote school due to the coronavirus."

Cotford St Luke Primary School pupils received three of the devices.

Nick Gilding, headteacher, said: “We were delighted that the council were able to secure funding to provide resources, not only for us but also Kingsmead School.

"Thanks to their hard work and the match-funding that the parish council provided, we now have three brand-new laptops to support our students’ learning.

"These will be invaluable as they will enable students to access the full range of learning opportunities that we provide.

"Although the original bid was focussed on accessing teaching during lockdown, the devices will continue to enhance learning for our pupils for many years to come.”