EXCLUSIVE: Education crisis brewing in Hull as children left without laptops during lockdown
Schools are saying they have none left and parents are struggling to get hold of devices
It's feared a home-learning crisis is brewing in Hull, and other parts of East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, as children without laptops struggle to get online.
Dozens of parents on low incomes have reached out to us to say they don't have the equipment they need to join lessons.
Hundreds of children could now be falling behind on their classes, as schools tell parents they're still waiting for the Government to deliver equipment.
The Department for Education (Dfe) has said that children who can't learn from home can attend school during lockdown. But schools are telling parents their classrooms are full.
"I do feel like a bad mother"
Deonne Dearlove is a mum from Hull who's trying to homeschool her three children with just one laptop between them.
She's has been forced to prioritise the education of her eldest two, meaning here nine-year-old daughter hasn't had a lesson since classrooms closed.
"I do feel like a bad mother," Deonne admits. "My daughter just isn't doing any work at the moment at all."
Deonne says she's asked if her daughter can attend school during lockdown, but teachers are warning classrooms are already full.
Corrine Walker, a mum of two from Hull, has been told similar things by her school.
She's been left to teach her two boys without any assistance from a laptop or computer, but she admits she's struggling.
"The curriculum has changed since I was at school" Corrine says. "You're trying to do the best for your children, but there's just been no help of any kind."
The Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield has written to the education secretary Gavin Williamson to ask for more details on the Government's plan to minimise learning loss during the pandemic.
He's set to appear before the Education Select Committee later this week.
Meanwhile, Ofcom estimates around 9% of children living in the UK don't have access to a laptop, desktop or tablet at home.
The regulator believes more than 880,000 low-income families rely solely on mobile data for internet access.
It says broadband companies are now removing data caps on broadband packages to help families get online without worrying about costs.
Ofcom recommends any families who are struggling to get online because of coronavirus should reach out to their provider to ask about what help is on offer.
The DfE has told us it's sending out thousands of laptops every week.