An IT solutions business in Failsworth drafted in Santa as they zoom called in to a number of local schools.

In what has become a local tradition (long before video calls became all the rage), Santa zoomed in to 16 primary schools last week - 12 of which are in the local area - thanks to Oldham IT support company Fingertip Solutions.

He visited Corrie Primary and Nursery School in Denton, as well as the following Oldham schools: Blackshaw Lane Primary School, Broadfield Primary School, Buckstones Primary School, Higher Failsworth Primary School, Horton Mill Community Primary School, Propps Hall Junior Infant and Nursery School, Royton Hall Primary and Nursery School, Rushcroft Primary School, South Failsworth Community Primary School, Springhead Infant and Nursery School, St. Anne’s C.E. Primary School, St. Mary's C.E. Primary School, St. Matthew's C.E. Primary School, Stanley Road Community Primary School and Thorp Primary School. 

The annual conference calls have the children enthralled as Santa (aka Fingertip’s managing director, Austin Pass) dials into classrooms to deliver some Christmas excitement.

Pre-briefed by the schools, Austin is able to ask questions of particular children as well as send messages of goodwill on the interactive call.

The team at Fingertip Solutions, which has been making the calls for six years, was particularly looking forward to this year’s calls, having missed last year’s due to Covid and children not being in their classrooms.

Commenting on the annual round of calls, Austin said: “It’s always great fun to do the calls. This year we will be dedicating two days to the calls and will be visiting, virtually, a total of 16 schools.

“It’s going to be an interesting one as the children are now so familiar with video calls. We are hoping that they will find the experience as exciting as they did pre-pandemic.”

Naomi Cartledge, headteacher of Corrie Primary and Nursery School in Denton, which has participated in the visits from Fingertip Solutions for six years, said: “Santa’s annual visit is a highlight of the run up to Christmas at Corrie Primary and Nursery School.

“Santa’s visit is a huge highlight for all our children, it’s great to get them in the Christmas spirt before we all go away for a break. Austin’s efforts in bringing the visit together is massively appreciated and we are looking forward to his visit next year!”

Gillian Kay, executive head teacher of The Ivory Federation in Oldham, said: "The children of The Ivory Federation’s member schools were so excited to get a special visit from Santa.

“It’s very generous of Austin and the team at Fingertip Solutions to give up their time for the children in this way. We all love the call and it was great to welcome Santa to the school.”