US data centre developer QTS has pledged £300,000 to fund online tutoring for hundreds of schoolchildren in Northumberland, targeting the county's education attainment gap.
The company, which is building a large data centre campus at Cambois, will support pupils from five local schools over three years, reaching 200 youngsters a year.
Three-year support programme
Bede Academy, Blyth Academy, Duke's Secondary, Newsham Primary and Croftway Primary will take part in the scheme, which aims to build confidence in core subjects and help pupils prepare for exams.
The North East has one of the widest education attainment gaps in the UK, and outcomes in Northumberland vary heavily depending on geography and socio-economic background. QTS said tutoring can act as a "great equaliser" and the move is intended to help close that gap.
Community investment context
The announcement follows the Chancellor's introduction of "strict" new tests that data centre developers must meet to build new schemes. John Healey said developers must "invest in local communities, create local jobs and protect local water supplies" in exchange for vital grid connections.
Concerns have been raised in south east Northumberland, where two further data centre applications are under consideration by the county council, in addition to the QTS site.
Partners and delivery
Lois Duguid, Community Impact Director at QTS Data Centres, said: "Cambois and the wider Northumberland area are full of students with amazing potential. As enablers of the digital economy, we believe online tutoring can make a real difference to their education and help them into the workplace."
Northumberland County Council's cabinet member for education, Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, said: "QTS is a good partner for the council and a good partner for the county. They have a good social aspect programme. We wouldn't have given them the planning permission or sold them the land without this social benefit aspect for the county. They are the example that all other data centre operator wannabes should look to."
QTS is working with the charity Action Tutoring to deliver the support. The charity provides "impactful, small group support" and aims to give pupils the same opportunities as their peers, recognising that many young people have less access to the tools they need to succeed at school.
Sarah Pearson, CEO at Action Tutoring, said: "We're delighted to partner with QTS. A three-year commitment gives us the stability to build lasting relationships with schools across Northumberland, so more pupils can gain the confidence and skills to succeed."
