The announcement by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson comes amid growing concerns that disadvantaged children such as those in care, on the child protection register and care leavers will see their education suffer disproportionately from prolonged school closures.
According to official guidance, vulnerable children such as those with a social worker are able to attend schools that have remained open for the children of keyworkers during the outbreak, but there is emerging evidence that the vast majority of looked-after children are staying home.
At the daily government briefing on the response to the coronavirus crisis, Williamson announced that free laptops and tablets would be made available to disadvantaged children in year 10, those who receive support from a social worker and care leavers. Schools and colleges will be able to keep the equipment once they have reopened.
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