Pupils get a helping hand with home schooling from internet provider

Three primary school pupils have each received a much-needed laptop to help with their home schooling, thanks to Wessex Internet.

The Key Stage 2 pupils from Lulworth & Winfrith CE VC Primary School were presented with the equipment by the Blandford based internet provider.

It came after the school conducted a home equipment audit among parents following the sudden announcement of school closures.

Richard Skinner, Headteacher, said: “No sooner had the government announced that we were to close due the national lockdown, we received a call from Wessex Internet with their offer of help.

“They recently connected both our school sites to full-fibre broadband.

“It was such a welcome surprise and has certainly taken the pressure off.

“Like many schools across the country, we have a number of pupils who for a range of reasons simply had no access to personal laptops at home.

“It is heartening to see that true community spirit is very much alive in Dorset.”

Hector Gibson Fleming, pictured left, Managing Director, Wessex Internet, said: “Lulworth is one of the areas in which we are working in to bring the best internet connectivity to rural homes and businesses.

“When we heard about the latest lockdown, we wanted to support the community where help was needed immediately.

“We hope that these laptops go some way towards making a difference to both children and their families in these crucial educational years in a safe and healthy environment.”

Between 1.14m and 1.78m children in the UK (nine per cent) do not have home access to a laptop, desktop or tablet, and more than 800,000 children live in a home with only a mobile internet connection, according to the BBC.

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ePropulsion appoints McKenna Townsend as retained European PR agency

Full-service PR and marketing agency, McKenna Townsend, has been appointed to manage the European PR programme and drive brand awareness for marine electric propulsion outboard brand, ePropulsion.

McKenna Townsend will act as the company’s press office and will support with media relations, product launches, creative campaigns, events and corporate profiling.

In addition to the PR and events programme, the agency will also be supporting ePropulsion on the company’s brand positioning in the European market.

ePropulsion has a clear mission to become the global leader in marine electric propulsion systems and services.

McKenna Townsend has already begun managing all PR activity and supported several new product announcements last month.

Matt McKenna, pictured left, Co-Managing Director, said: “This is an exciting time for us to get on board with the brand which has seen rapid growth globally.

“It is a significant new business win for the agency and further strengthens our strong portfolio of marine brands across the world.”

Danny Tao, CEO, ePropulsion, said: “We are delighted to be working with the team at McKenna Townsend who will help to really propel our brand across Europe.

“The agency demonstrated in-depth knowledge and expertise across our sector and are highly regarded in the industry.”

McKenna Townsend represents a wide-range of international, national and regional marine clients including Sunseeker International, Williams Jet Tenders and AkzoNobel’s International and Awlgrip paints.

Apart from Sunseeker, Dorset clients include Dorset Windows, Condor Ferries and Subway (South West).

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Employment law and HR specialist joins firm as consultant

Kate Fretten has joined Kemps Employment Solicitors as a consultant.

The Bournemouth-based firm, headed by Partner Michelle Kemp, is reporting a significant increase in work assisting companies to meet their legal obligations and compliance under revised Home Office rules.

It follows the introduction of a new post-Brexit immigration framework.

Kate, pictured left, is an experienced employment law and HR specialist,

She specialises in non-contentious matters including immigration and employing foreign nationals, restrictive covenants, confidentiality issues and the recruitment and severance of senior executives.

Kate said: “Having stepped back as a Partner at Frettens to focus on my young family, this new opportunity with Michelle at Kemps is ideal.

“The timing is perfect for me in a professional capacity, and with the significant post-Brexit changes coming into effect, many more employers are facing complex employment issues.”

Michelle, pictured right, said: “Kate has been recommended in the Legal 500 directory for several years and brings her expertise in employment and immigration at this pertinent time.

“Having Kate join us means that we can fully meet the needs of our clients.”

Michelle launched her employment law practice last year.

It acts primarily for employers and has clients across a range of sectors including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, finance, education and healthcare.