ASTWOOD Bank First School pupils can look forward to a new suite of technical gizmo’s next term thanks to money raised by parents and friends, plus the generosity of staff from a local employment and training company.

A total of £4,000 has been raised to purchase 16 iPads, an Apple TV to project pictures on a smart board and a sinking trolley which allows them to update.

Parent Sue Chorley told her colleagues at Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), who have offices in Albert Street, Redditch, that the school was close to reaching its target and it was agreed the company's Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme would make a donation of £500.

She said: “I am a member of the GAYE fund and I thought this was a good idea and wanted to help them hit their target.”

The new equipment will be an important part of the youngsters’ education.

School spokesman Michelle Stack said: “It will make a huge difference to all the children.

“There are lots of different apps that we are going to use to target things like fine motor skills for children who are not keen on using pencils.”

PPDG encourages staff to get involved with local fundraising and is extremely proud of its extensive community support programme. Donations from the fund recently surpassed the £150,000 milestone of giving back through payroll donations since its launch in 2004.