A scheme designed to help ensure no secondary school pupil is disadvantaged in GCSE maths is ready to spring into action as schools return from the summer break.
The Hornby Calculator Club, launched earlier this year, has already attracted interest from a number of secondary schools across South Cumbria.
The first batch of latest-generation scientific calculators is now on order. They will create a bank of equipment that can be loaned to pupils in participating schools whenever needed.
Paul Hornby, Managing Director of JF Hornby & Co, said: “One of the things we’ve learned through our work in schools is that small barriers can sometimes have a big impact.
“A scientific calculator is a basic but essential piece of equipment, and we want to make sure that no pupil finds themselves at a disadvantage simply because they don’t have access to one.
“The response from schools has been hugely encouraging and we’re delighted to have reached the stage where the first calculators are now on order and ready to start making their way into classrooms.”
The initiative is being funded through the Hornby Foundation, which has committed £4,500 to the project as part of its wider mission to support opportunities for young people and strengthen local communities.
Schools taking part in the scheme will receive a stock of calculators that can be kept on site and loaned out to pupils throughout the academic year, helping to remove a practical barrier to learning and exam preparation.
The project was developed following conversations with teachers about the challenges faced by some families and the pressures on school budgets.
The Calculator Club builds on JF Hornby & Co’s ongoing commitment to education through the Hornby Money Club, which has delivered financial education sessions to primary and secondary school pupils across the region since 2021.
The first deliveries are expected to reach participating schools before the end of September, with further roll-out planned as the initiative develops.
