THE season of giving has started early for staff and students at an academy in Poole.

St Aldhelm’s Academy received a donation from Bournemouth University (BU) of 16 reconditioned Huawei tablets and a charging trolley.

The school, which is part of the newly rebranded Authentic Education Trust, hopes to develop a strong working partnership with the university to raise aspirations amongst its pupils.

Rob Barber, vice principle at St Aldhelm’s Academy, said: “This donation will support pupils’ learning within the Academy, but as importantly it is a tangible benefit from a relationship we hope to build on.

"As a school, we’re focused on encouraging our pupils to view Higher Education as a real possibility for them and it’s our plan that every year group has some contact with a university.

"Our year 10 cohort have really enjoyed their visits to BU, and we’d like to expand these opportunities in the future.”

BU’s schools liaison coordinator Jerry Whitton added: “At BU we’re keen to build the engagement with higher education that will lead to pupils accessing university and the opportunities that follow.

“Thanks to the Southern Universities Network project we have equipment to distribute and we’re happy to be able to add to the resources at St Aldhelm’s.”