Oundle school staff and pupils make PPE for NHS staff

Staff from the school’s art, design technology and engineering department have been supporting an initiative called the Beds Visor Project which supplies much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers.

Head of design Liz Bull has produced more than 380 head bands for full face shields which have been donated to hospitals, ambulance workers and care homes, while textiles teacher Judith Richardson and design technology technician Fiona Jones have been making scrubs for NHS staff.

Ms Bull said: “We are working with a co-ordinator from a council in Bedfordshire who has organised a large team of schools to make head visors. I am making the head supports for the visors, cutting them out on a small laser cutter.

“They are then picked up and assembled with the front visors by a dedicated team of volunteers. They are on track to product 25,000 head visors, which is amazing.

“Design and technology departments at schools across the country are stepping up to use their equipment to make PPE and I’m glad that Prince William has joined the cause.”

Year 13 pupil Megan Swales has also been using her time in lockdown to make scrubs for frontline health workers.

She said: “I found out that a small group was being formed in my village who were sewing scrubs for the NHS workers. I wanted to get involved so I could do my part to help. I was given the fabric that is being sent out and used a pattern that was sent with it. I have made two so far, but am planning to make many more.”