PUPILS from some of the most disadvantaged areas of Teesside can now get their education back on track thanks to a chemical company’s act of kindness.

St Peter’s Catholic College in South Bank has taken delivery of £10,000 worth of brand-new laptops for children who haven’t been able to access online learning, after a donation from SABIC arranged by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

The government has announced plans for a wider laptop distribution scheme but pupils in 18 households will not have to wait any longer to get online.

The college's head of pastoral Justin Tattersall, said: “A fifth of our pupils are working on paper-based resources only, so they can’t access Google Classroom in the way we would like them to.

"That’s more than 100 children and presents a massive challenge. They are currently excluded from the opportunities other children have and this will help us bridge that gap. On top of the equipment the government are hoping to provide, it will enable us make a massive improvement in the quality of learning for so many children. We’re so grateful that despite facing their own challenging circumstances, as all of us do right now, everyone involved has taken the time to think about other people and really embody the message of loving your neighbour.”