A Teesside primary school looking for help providing laptops for pupils forced to learn from home has won support from a regional housebuilder.

Crooksbarn Primary School in Norton was awarded £1,000 by Persimmon Homes Teesside after headteacher Chris Twiby applied for the Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme.

The programme enables clubs, groups and good causes to apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves. Each month Persimmon Homes Teesside donates two cash pots - each worth up to £1,000.

Mr Twiby explained why the funding is essential: “We are raising money to purchase laptops for home learning for disadvantaged families.

“Due to the on-going pandemic, when we have had to instruct groups of children from the same bubble to isolate, some families have struggled to access learning due to not having the correct hardware at home or have been unable to access family computers due to multiple children isolating and/or parents working from home.

“We feel that additional laptops would especially benefit some of our families who have been hit financially (losing jobs/hours) and are struggling in the short term to manage. This would help us to support our families who need it, and also maintain educational standards.

“As a school our parents’ association has been raising funds to assist but this has been difficult to do in the current economic climate, so we are grateful to have been selected by the team at Teesside.”

Kevin Thubron, managing director of Persimmon Homes Teesside, added: “Home learning under the current circumstances is a challenge for every family and having access to equipment is essential.

“We’re proud our donation is able to help the school in some way and we wish all the pupils, staff and parents the very best.” The housebuilder’s national match-funding programme Community Champions seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life for local people.

Each month the Thornaby-based builder donates up to £2,000 to community groups across the region. This also happens across Persimmon’s other 31 operating areas, meaning up to £64,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £768,000 a year.

For more information on Persimmon Homes Community Champions scheme and to apply visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.