In a bid to support the educational needs of local students, the NDA has donated 45 laptops in a first for the organisation.

Solway Community School, at Silloth, and Beacon Hill School, Aspatria, were given the equipment so pupils who, would otherwise struggle to access technology, could continue with their learning both at school and at home.

The initiative is also designed to help make a difference to disadvantaged pupils in the community or those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to appropriate IT equipment.

Frank Rainford, Group Director of Security and Corporate Services at the NDA, said:

We are delighted to see so many young people benefit from our IT equipment. The laptops will offer additional support to students during these challenging times and will ensure they can continue with their learning remotely.

Our commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate is hugely important to us and we hope this initiative will continue to inspire pupils in their education, ensuring no pupil misses out on an opportunity to learn.

Around 100 laptops in total have been earmarked for donation to local students, as the scheme develops.

The equipment, which has had all the data erased by specialist IT recycling contractors, had been used by NDA employees in their work towards achieving the mission of cleaning up 17 of the UK’s oldest nuclear sites.

Judith Schafer, Executive Headteacher for the two schools, added:

It has become vitally important that our students can continue learning remotely. This has been a steep learning curve for teachers and students, made more complex for some of our students who face extra educational barriers because of limited access to appropriate ICT equipment.

The laptops provided by the NDA will give these students the quality equipment and support they need to ensure they are able to continue their education remotely where necessary.

The donated equipment has also allowed some of the pupils to access additional remote learning support, provided through the NDA’s nucleargraduates programme.

An eight-strong team of graduates have been offering online tutoring sessions to support year 11 pupils, who could go on to become the next generation of nuclear professionals.

The scheme has been so well received that a full year group from Beacon Hill School took up the graduates’ offer of extra learning support, in subjects including science, technology, engineering and maths.

The scheme will run until September 2021.

Hear from the pupils themselves about why the laptops have made a difference Cumbria Futures Federation and NDA

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The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Susan Acland-Hood as the new permanent secretary to the Department for Education. Susan has been covering the role on a temporary basis since September and will take up her substantive promotion with immediate effect.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson said:

“I want to congratulate Susan on her permanent appointment as permanent secretary here at the Department of Education. Having worked closely with Susan over the last few months, I know she is a great leader and has the skills and experience to really deliver the Government’s ambitious agenda to level up education across the country, giving every child an equal opportunity to succeed.

“Susan is an outstanding civil servant with extensive experience across government and education policy, and I look forward to working with her as we build back better from the pandemic.”

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, said:

“I am delighted Susan has been appointed as permanent secretary to the Department for Education. She will bring a wealth of relevant experience to the role and a genuine enthusiasm for the agenda having served in the department previously. Under her leadership, I am confident that the department will deliver high-quality education and children’s services for everyone.”

“It has been a privilege to lead the Department for Education since September, and I am honoured and delighted to have been confirmed as the permanent secretary. Shaping the Department and supporting its committed, brilliant staff to do the best possible job for children, and for students and learners of all ages, has never mattered more, and I take up the challenge with passion and determination.”

Notes for Editors

Susan Acland-Hood has been filling the role of permanent secretary at DfE since September on a temporary basis. Prior to taking on the role of acting permanent secretary at DfE, Susan was Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service.

From 2015 to 2016 she was Director of Enterprise and Growth at HM Treasury, responsible for policies on growth, energy, the environment, business, infrastructure, exports, competition and markets. She was Director of the Education and Funding Group at DfE from 2013 to 2015, and before that held a range of posts covering education and justice policy, including in No 10, the Home Office, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and the Social Exclusion Unit. Her civil service career began in the then Department for Education and Employment in 1999.

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Susan Acland-Hood as the new permanent secretary to the Department for Education. Susan has been covering the role on a temporary basis since September and will take up her substantive promotion with immediate effect.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson said:

“I want to congratulate Susan on her permanent appointment as permanent secretary here at the Department of Education. Having worked closely with Susan over the last few months, I know she is a great leader and has the skills and experience to really deliver the Government’s ambitious agenda to level up education across the country, giving every child an equal opportunity to succeed.

“Susan is an outstanding civil servant with extensive experience across government and education policy, and I look forward to working with her as we build back better from the pandemic.”

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, said:

“I am delighted Susan has been appointed as permanent secretary to the Department for Education. She will bring a wealth of relevant experience to the role and a genuine enthusiasm for the agenda having served in the department previously. Under her leadership, I am confident that the department will deliver high-quality education and children’s services for everyone.”

“It has been a privilege to lead the Department for Education since September, and I am honoured and delighted to have been confirmed as the permanent secretary. Shaping the Department and supporting its committed, brilliant staff to do the best possible job for children, and for students and learners of all ages, has never mattered more, and I take up the challenge with passion and determination.”

Notes for Editors

Susan Acland-Hood has been filling the role of permanent secretary at DfE since September on a temporary basis. Prior to taking on the role of acting permanent secretary at DfE, Susan was Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service.

From 2015 to 2016 she was Director of Enterprise and Growth at HM Treasury, responsible for policies on growth, energy, the environment, business, infrastructure, exports, competition and markets. She was Director of the Education and Funding Group at DfE from 2013 to 2015, and before that held a range of posts covering education and justice policy, including in No 10, the Home Office, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and the Social Exclusion Unit. Her civil service career began in the then Department for Education and Employment in 1999.