THE Trafalgar School in Downton is in need of laptops to help pupils access online learning.

In a post on the school's Facebook page, it says that it has "exhausted" its supply of laptops and needs more to help families who are "struggling with online learning". 

Head teacher Jonathan Curtis said: "We have issued over 100 laptops to students and their families since the lockdown in January, we are grateful for a number of donations from parents and our local community. 

"We have now exhausted our school supply of laptops, including the ones received from the Government.  We would be very happy to accept any kind donations of laptops, which must be no more than 5 years old. 

"If anyone felt that they would prefer to make a financial donation, they could do so direct to our parents association -  The Trafalgar School Association, who are a registered charity.  They would then purchase new laptops on behalf of our student families.

"In spite of the challenges that students are experiencing, they are all finding ways to engage with their learning.  I would like to thank our fantastic staff for their commitment and resilience as well, of course, as the great patience and ongoing support of our parents."

Rachel Reeves, the chair of The Trafalgar School Association (TSA), said: "The Trafalgar School Association (TSA), focuses on supporting students, families and the school through charity fundraising. This year has been an enormous challenge with the cancellation of The Downton Cuckoo Fair and other fundraising events. We are more than pleased to be involved by supporting the provision of laptops for students during this unprecedented time.  The TSA welcome monetary donations from anyone wishing to help with this appeal."

The post on the school's Facebook page said: "Can you help us, or know anyone who can? We have exhausted our supply of school laptops to lend to students in need, as well as the laptops supplied by the Government. We still have some families who are struggling with online learning due to having IT issues and juggling multiple children at home needing separate devices to access online learning.

"If you can help, we would so grateful. Ideally, any donations of laptops/ipads that are wiped of your personal data would be brilliant (although we can do this for you at a push, but as you can imagine our IT manager is fairly stretched installing all the necessary software and protection on the laptops that have arrived from the government scheme).

"We would be so very grateful, as would our families."

Anyone able to help the school is asked to email laptopdonations@trafalgar.wilts.sch.uk. Alternatively, those wishing to make a donation to support the work of the TSA email tsa@trafalgar.wilts.sch.uk.