A PAIR of siblings have launched an app which allows members of the community to help local schools get more support.

Dhruv Garg, 15 and Mehul Garg, 12 from Wokingham won a Community Award for their "dream project" LetsLocalise, which brings schools and local communities closer together.

Dhruv said: "It makes me feel quite proud to be helping so many pupils and the main objective is to help students across the country.

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"I felt like this is needed because there is an acute funding shortage in schools, as a result sports equipment is broken and schools are unable to replace it. In absence of these kids are just bored and hence go on their phones which leads to screen addiction."

Before LetsLocalise was launched, the brothers spent six months outside various supermarkets, come rain or shine, to survey more than 1,000 people on whether they would be happy to donate money or volunteer at schools.

The idea behind the app is for schools to post what help they need, and then parents, neighbours, alumni, residents and businesses can help the school by pledging to donate time, expertise or money.

Schools also can post for help if they need volunteers or speakers to come in to boost enrichment and extra-curricular activities for pupils.

Recently, The Forest School in Wokingham raised £546 through Let'sLocalise donations to be able to purchase basketball posts and hoops which will benefit 600 pupils at the school.

Shirley Austin, headteacher at The Forest School, said "The Forest School uses LetsLocalise to post-project requests that registered users can become involved with.

"We're always keen to look for additional ways to enrich and engage every learning journey and would encourage everyone to register on LetsLocalise and follow their school to see how they can help."

The boys mum also explained how the app can beat social isolation in communities by getting empty nester's to volunteer and utilise their skills.

Divya said: "Funding cuts by the government are jeopardising and curtailing the ambitions of schools, teachers and students alike. Schools are crying out for help in all aspects of school life.

"They desperately need more support and funding to help them deliver top quality education and support our children as they grow.

The free platform is running a pilot with seven schools, including Wildridings in Bracknell, Oakbank School and another 200 schools are on the waiting list.

Wildridings School in Bracknell is also running a campaign to raise £600 to purchase IPads to help 125 pupils with their learning.

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services for Wokingham Borough Council, said:

“All schools are funded through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which is set through a national formula by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

"In Wokingham the distribution of that funding to individual schools is agreed through a local formula, set in conjunction with Schools Forum and in consultation with local schools.

“Maintained schools are also provided with an annual devolved capital budget through the Council’s Capital Programme which can be spent on investment in equipment and facilities as prioritised by the individual school.

 “For academies, such as The Forest, the ESFA deal with the schools directly on funding matters, including capital funding.”