New laptops after school receives grant

A CHIRK primary school has been given a five-figure sum of money after having a grant application accepted.

Ysgol-y-Waun benefitted from £26,000 from MBNA as part of the bank’s community grants programme.

The application was successful and will be used to provide up-to-date technical equipment to replace existing older computers and laptops.

Headteacher John Roberts said: “It’s great news. It came about when one of our student’s parents, who works for the bank, had a friend who was successful in securing some funding from the bank and told us we should apply.

“We put together a plan to improve the IT facilities at both of our sites and we were hoping they would be able to help with even just a part of it.”

The current equipment at the school has been used for up to 15 years, meaning they are often slow and problematic.

With the grant, the school is hoping to replace a total of 57 computers with new Windows 10 desktop computers and equipment, along with 30 new Chromebook laptops.

John added: “It will allow us to replace older equipment across both of our sites. It’s something which will definitely prove to be very helpful to not only the students, but the teachers too. Better screens and quicker equipment will make teaching easier.”

John gave his thanks to MBNA and Jodie Jones, the parent of pupils Emma and Theo, who brought the grant to their attention.

He said: “We really appreciate the help of MBNA with this grant and would like to extend a massive thanks to them.

“It’s harder to fund new equipment every year, especially with budget cuts. We usually set aside £4,000 to £5,000 a year for new equipment, so to receive £26,000 makes a huge difference.

“This money has made it a lot easier for us to replace equipment all at once.

“We’d like to give a huge thank you to Jodie Jones, mother to Emma and Theo, for bringing this to our attention – we can’t thank her enough.

“This grant will make a massive difference to the education of 360 pupils.”

The equipment is expected to be in place at the school by April.