AN anonymous donor has given two Teignmouth schools a £10,000 boost to help their children with online learning.

Teignmouth Community Schools at Mill Lane (primary phase) and Exeter Road (secondary phase) were thrilled to receive the new year’s gift.

The anonymous benefactor has given the schools £10,000 to be used for the purchase of IT equipment to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children in their learning during the lockdown.

The exceptionally generous donation comes from a member of the local community who is keen to support those in need in the area, particularly the young and elderly.

The money will be used by both schools to purchase laptops and tablets to enable children to access their remote learning at home.

Longer term, these devices will continue to support children with their homework and to stay connected in this increasingly digital world.

TCS has in addition benefited from the generosity of the IT department at Exeter University which has passed on ten good, working laptops to further support less advantaged students.

A school spokesperson said: ‘This is another amazing example of the generous, caring attitudes of many people in our local area.’

James O’Connell, Principal at TCS Exeter Road, said: ‘One of our greatest concerns as a school is how this pandemic is affecting some families and young people much more than others.

‘Some of our students are getting on well working from home but many others have got real challenges with no computer or laptop, or having to share with siblings and parents.

‘This amazing kindness will make a significant difference to the experiences and chances of a large number of young people and their families.

‘We are hugely grateful for this amazing support.

‘It is testament to what a wonderful, caring community we are fortunate enough to live and work in.

Annabelle Thomas, Head of School at Mill Lane, said: ‘This generous donation will greatly support our school families, some of whom are finding it hard to complete the remote learning at home with a lack of devices or having to share with siblings.

‘We want pupils at home to be able to continue accessing their learning and this will really help them do that.

‘We are overwhelmed by the kind donation and I am sure our families will be very grateful too.’