By Sarah Walker
15 July 2026
Consett Academy receives almost £1,300 for ‘Thinkbooks’
A North East school has benefited from a grant of almost £1,300, to support advanced Maths students to excel in their additional studies.
UKSE, the business support subsidiary of Tata Steel, provided the grant to Consett Academy, to purchase three Lenovo Thinkbooks from its 50th Anniversary Bursary Fund.
The laptops will benefit students studying on an advanced Maths course, due to their exceptional ability in the subject.
Susan Hutchinson, a teacher at Consett Academy, with a background in PE, science and health and social care, supports gifted and talented pupils to achieve their full potential.
Susan said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve received almost £1,300 for these new laptops from UKSE, to support students in their studies.
“At Consett Academy, we are teaching advanced maths in connection with the Royal Grammar School.
“We also offer further Maths as an A-level subject.”
Susan added advanced Maths, which requires additional work at home on top of students’ existing GCSE studies, is something that students access on their own on an evening.
Thanks to the new laptops purchased through the grant, any student who is excelling in Maths can now access the additional course if they want to – regardless of the availability of technology at home.
Pictured by Michelle Maddison Photography
Susan and the team will be able to support many more advanced Maths students in years to come, because once the current cohort leave, the devices will be returned and remain specifically available for that subject.
“This ensures pupils will not experience any barriers with technology when it comes to pursuing the additional course if they have the ability and they want to do it, and they will be able to realise their full potential in the subject,” said Susan.
Peter Taylor, UKSE’s Business Development Manager, said: “It is wonderful to see young people taking the initiative and investing the time in becoming the best that they can be in subjects that they have found they have a gift in.
“At UKSE, we are pleased to have been able to help these students access the advanced Maths course, so they can work towards realising their full potential.
“We wish the students well in their studies and hope it leads them onto great things in the future.”
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, UKSE launched a special £50,000 bursary scheme focused on targeted initiatives across the UK, to help students and young adults to pursue their educational or sporting ambitions.
The award to Consett Academy through this special round of funding represents just one example where UKSE has invested funds to support students in the North East.
UKSE has also provided bursaries via partnership arrangements with Teesside University and the Education Training Collective, to cover essential study-related costs like IT equipment, books, and travel.
For more information, visit www.ukse.co.uk
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