Barking and Dagenham politicans call for support for infant school learning

Labour MPs John Cruddas and Dame Margaret Hodge have written to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP (credits: Richard Townsend & Chris McAndrew)

Barking and Dagenham politicians are urging the Secretary of State for Education to reverse a decision to exclude infant schools from a scheme which provides devices for remote learning.

Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas and Barking MP Dame Margaret Hodge have written a letter to Gavin Williamson warning that the government scheme discriminates against the most disadvantaged pupils.

They wrote: “In Barking and Dagenham, of the 391 devices received by schools in the Borough only three (0.09%) have been allocated to infant schools. Our infant and primary schools are drastically affected by this policy.

“Our infant schools need government devices for remote learning: their budgets are stretched, and they do not have the spare resources to fund the devices from their own funds.

“Yet again, a Government scheme discriminates against the most disadvantaged pupils. The scheme will prevent our youngest pupils in Barking and Dagenham from accessing learning. Schools are anxious that their young pupils will fall behind in their learning at a crucial time in their development.”

The letter has also been signed by the leader of Barking & Dagenham Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell, as well as Cabinet Member for Education Attainment and School Improvement, Councillor Evelyn Carpenter.

Cllr Rodwell said: “It’s not fair that our youngest children aren’t receiving the devices they need to let them use the fantastic online resources provided by schools.

“No child should have to do their schoolwork on their parent’s phone, or worse not at all.

“The Secretary of State needs to act now or risk the most disadvantaged kids falling behind.”

Cllr Carpenter added: “It is vital for children in our infant schools to be able to continue to access learning and have communication with their school community during lockdown.

“I urge the Government to change the policy to include an allocation of devices for infant schools to protect the wellbeing and education of our youngest pupils during this challenging time.”

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