Equal Education Wins £50,000 Innovate UK Grant to provide devices for Looked After Children

Press Release

Equal Education has been awarded a £50,000 grant to provide iPads to vulnerable learners for remote learning in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In response to concerns over access to technology devices and the widening of the attainment gap during school closures, Equal Education set up a Technology Supply Service to enable schools and Local Authorities to order iPads to be delivered to those who need them. 

Our application to Innovate UK’s ‘Business-led innovation in response to global disruption (de minimis)’ was one of over 800 successful companies to be awarded this grant out of over 8600 applicants.

To address concerns over online safety and mitigate risk, Equal Education has secured a relationship with Apple UK that secures the devices, pre-installing them with specialist protection software, which limits distracting and dangerous websites or apps. 

The grant will allow Equal Education to build on its services as a provider of tuition and explore innovative ways of closing the digital divide and the educational attainment gap for vulnerable students. Equal Education’s tutors only work with Looked After Children, Children in Need and those with special educational needs. 

Paul Singh, Equal Education co-founder and CEO, said:

“We believe every young person should have access to the educational support they need to reach their potential. Access to technology plays a vital role in enabling young people to continue to learn. This grant will enable us to support schools and Local Authorities to provide vital access to the technology to vulnerable students”. 

Executive Chair, Innovate UK, Dr Ian Campbell, said:

“Businesses from all over the UK have answered our call rapidly to meet the challenges we face today and in the future through the power of innovation. The ideas we have seen can truly make a significant impact on society, improve the lives of individuals, especially those in vulnerable groups and enable businesses to prosper in challenging circumstances.”

Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas. The funding competition ‘Business-led innovation in response to global disruption (de minimis)’ enabled UK registered businesses to apply for a share of up to £20 million to respond to new and urgent needs in UK and global communities during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.